Cabinet approves release of Ksh.4.1B to address drought in Northern Kenya

A Cabinet dispatch intimated that the funds will help give relief to an estimated 3.3 million people who are currently facing acute food insecurity, as the nation's deadliest drought threatens to worsen.

Cabinet projects that the number could rise to 3.6 million by June 2026 if urgent intervention is not taken, including in counties outside the arid and semi-arid areas.

The counties of Mandera, Wajir, Kwale, and Kilifi are in the alarm phase, while 12 counties are in the alert phase. Other counties include Garissa, Tana River, Marsabit, Turkana, Meru North, Samburu and Isiolo.

Acute malnutrition is also on the rise, affecting over 810,000 children and 104,000 pregnant and lactating women, alongside other vulnerable groups.

An additional funding will supplement allocations made in December 2025 and January 2026, which supported relief food, logistics, and limited non-food assistance. 

"Current stocks are expected to last only two to three weeks, underscoring the urgency of further support," read the document in part.

Drought in the affected areas has deteriorated rapidly since January 2026 following the failure of the October-December 2025 short rains.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, however, argued that the budgeted money is too little to meet the needs of the affected people.

Addressing the media at his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) offices in Nairobi on Tuesday, Gachagua called on President William Ruto to declare the situation a national disaster, citing 10 counties that are in the red. 

He said that the amount is below the U.N approved standards to help the 3.3 million Kenyans who are starving.

"This translates to Ksh.1,200 per person and is way below the minimum UN food basket valued at Ksh.2,700," Gachagua stated.

The DCP party leader called out the wastage and plunder in government as Kenyans weather the biting drought.

The release comes ahead of President Ruto's three-day Northern Kenya tour.