Kenya’s Deputy President Kithure Kindiki | KBC
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has vowed that no Kenyan life will be lost as the government intensifies efforts to combat the severe drought that has pushed millions into food insecurity, insisting national resources are being mobilized to protect vulnerable communities and livestock.
Speaking at a high-level drought coordination meeting at the Official Residence in Karen, Kindiki said the government has expanded emergency food distribution, water trucking and livestock support in response to the worsening conditions caused by the failure of the October–December 2025 short rains. He said authorities are working to ensure relief reaches the “last mile” and reaches households before conditions deteriorate further.
“I assure the people of Kenya that the government will not spare any resources to make sure we don’t lose human life and mitigate the effects of the drought on livestock and wildlife,” Kindiki declared, reiterating that the state was prioritising rapid relief delivery to the hardest-hit populations.
Government figures show that at least 3.3 million Kenyans across 23 counties are now facing acute food shortages and crisis-level drought conditions, with arid and semi-arid counties such as Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit and Turkana among the most affected.
The drought response has included not only food aid but animal feed distribution and water trucking, parts of a multi-agency approach to shore up livelihoods in both human and livestock populations. Officials have said ensuring livestock survival is critical, since many pastoralist communities depend on cattle, goats and camels for food and income.
Kindiki also emphasized that efforts extend to keeping essential services operational, noting targeted support for school feeding programme to reduce disruptions to children’s education even as food shortages bite. Authorities said they were focused on vulnerable groups including children, women and the elderly — to ensure that the crisis does not escalate into a humanitarian catastrophe.
The government’s emergency actions follow a cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto that authorised the release of billions of shillings in additional funding to expand the drought response, including food procurement and logistics support. The injections of funds come in response to warnings from the Kenya Meteorological Department and the National Drought Management Authority that conditions were deteriorating rapidly.
Political tensions around drought mitigation have surfaced in recent days: Kindiki has responded sharply to criticism from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who argued that government relief measures are insufficient and should be expanded further. Kindiki pushed back against what he characterized as political attacks, saying response efforts are comprehensive and ongoing.
While relief operations continue across the affected counties, analysts warn that sustained, coordinated support will be key as the country heads into the March–May long rains season, which is crucial for crop recovery and long-term food security. For now, the government’s message remains clear: strong action is underway to protect lives and livelihoods in drought-stricken Kenya.
