Turkana residents stare at acute hunger as drought bites

Turkana County is to receive the largest share, of Sh 107.5 million for 39,831 households. [File, Standard]

At least 450,000 residents across Turkana County’s seven sub-counties are facing acute food and water shortages after a prolonged drought dried up boreholes, depleted pasture, and killed large numbers of livestock, triggering what analysts describe as a full-scale humanitarian emergency.

Communities in Nachukui, Kaaleng, Nakinomet, the Kalobeyei corridor, Kaputir, Namorukot, Kapedo, and the Kanamkemer lowlands report that most boreholes have either collapsed or are producing salty, unsafe water. Families are trekking for hours each day in search of water, while many households survive on one meal a day or none at all.