2.6 Million Kenyans in 24 Counties Facing Starvation

The government says at least 2.6 million Kenyans in 24 counties are facing starvation as a result of drought.

A significant number of those affected (623,000) are children while 69,000 of them are pregnant women and lactating mothers, according to government spokesman Cyrus Oguna.

The worst affected County is Turkana, where 250,000 children aged below five in three sub-counties including Turkana North, Turkana South, and Laisamis are facing acute malnutrition.

In Turkana West, Turkana Central, Baringo, Tana River, Samburu and Moyale, 200,000 children are experiencing critical starvation.

“Eight out of the 23 counties are severely affected by drought and require urgent enhanced relief food assistance,” said Oguna.

They include Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Marsabit, Tharaka-Nithi, Isiolo, Embu and Kitui.

Oguna said the government had set aside Sh3.7 billion for drought mitigation, out of which Sh2.9 billion will be channeled to relief food and distribution of water to affected people.