Africa-Press – Kenya. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on President William Ruto to declare the ongoing drought a national disaster, citing worsening humanitarian conditions in parts of the country.
Speaking during an interview on Thursday, Gachagua said prolonged dry conditions, failed rain seasons, and livestock losses were placing many Kenyans at risk, particularly in northern Kenya.
He questioned what he described as limited public communication on the situation, noting that drought conditions had persisted for several months.
Gachagua urged the President to declare the drought a national disaster to help mobilise additional resources, including donor funding, and to strengthen mitigation efforts.
“I want to tell President Ruto to think about the people in North Eastern Kenya who are affected by hunger. Declare the drought a national disaster to attract funding. Allocate funds to mitigate the effects of the drought. Buy animals from herders to cushion them against losses,” he said.
He further claimed that three consecutive rainfall seasons had failed and warned that millions of people could face severe food and water shortages without timely intervention.
Gachagua also criticised what he termed a lack of coordinated advocacy, arguing that collective action was needed to mobilise government and donor support.
“The current Deputy President should convene a meeting with donors, relevant actors, and leaders to acknowledge the challenges in northern Kenya and explore ways of mobilising resources to assist residents,” he said.
He added that reports of livestock deaths, including camels, underscored the seriousness of the situation.
According to available assessments, the current drought follows three consecutive poor rainfall seasons: the October–December 2024 short rains, the March–May 2025 long rains, and the October–December 2025 short rains.
Persistently high temperatures have further strained water and pasture resources, worsening conditions in affected areas.
Meanwhile, the government says it has activated drought response mechanisms to support vulnerable communities in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) as conditions deteriorate.
Speaking in Garissa on Tuesday during the flagging-off of water trucking and relief food assistance, Garissa County Commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo said the intervention formed part of a wider national response.
“This exercise is not isolated. Similar drought response activities are being launched across other ASAL counties as the government moves to protect lives and livelihoods,” Mwabudzo said.
The government, through the Department of Special Programmes, has also distributed relief food, with 4,480 bags of rice and beans supplied in Garissa County.
The water trucking programme, jointly implemented by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and the Garissa County Government, is targeting vulnerable households and critical institutions, particularly in Lagdera and Balambala sub-counties.
According to NDMA, Mandera County is currently classified in the alarm phase, while nine counties, including Garissa, are in the alert phase, with several showing a worsening trend.
