National Drought Early Warning Bulletin (April 2023)

Despite the reported rains in most parts of the country in the last Dekad of March, the rains are yet to impact on production systems. The drought situation thus remains critical in twenty-two (21) of the 23 ASAL counties during the month of March 2023. The number of people in need of assistance still stands at 4.4 million currently following short rains (SRA) 2022 food security assessment. Two (2) counties namely Marsabit and Turkana remain in Emergency drought phase. Eight (8) counties namely Isiolo, Mandera, Kajiado, Samburu, Tana River, Wajir, Kilifi and Kitui are in Alarm drought phase. Eleven (11) counties including; Baringo, Embu, Garissa, Lamu, Makueni, Laikipia, Narok, Nyeri, Meru, Kwale and Taita Taveta are in the Alert drought phase. While two (2) counties; West Pokot and Tharaka Nithi are in Normal drought phase. Acute malnutrition has also been noted across the counties with 970,214 children aged 6 to 59 months and 142,179 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are currently malnourished acutely in need of treatment. Figure 1.0 shows drought phase classification. The reported rains in most of the Arid counties are associated with flush floods which had negative impacts on the local livelihoods and critical facilities like roads.

Source-  NDMA (Click here for report)