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Country analysis

Kenya


Kenya is facing floods, the impact of a longstanding drought, and a refugee crisis. Arid and semi-arid counties, comprising nearly 80% of Kenya’s landmass, often experience drought conditions.

Kenya hosts refugees from neighbouring countries, with around 623,500 registered refugees and asylum seekers present in the country by the end of October 2023. 86% of these refugees are from Somalia and South Sudan. Most have taken refuge in Dadaab and Kakuma camps, respectively located in Garissa and Turkana counties, both arid areas vulnerable to drought impacts.

Communities living in arid and semi-arid regions (36% of Kenya's population) face inadequate social services, poor physical infrastructure, and highly dispersed human settlements. They also experience higher poverty levels compared to the rest of the country.

The impact of the floods between October–December 2023 has affected more than 757,000 people, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region just as it recovers from the most severe drought in four decades. The drought left at least 1.5 million people in Kenya facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity levels between October 2023 and January 2024. The areas most affected by the El Niño rains are the semi-arid lands, where pastoralism is the main livelihood.

(UNHCR accessed 08/02/2024, IFRC 05/02/2024, UNFPA 24/01/2024, ASALS accessed 08/02/2024, IPC 01/09/2023)

Kenya is facing floods, the impact of a longstanding drought, and a refugee crisis. Arid and semi-arid counties, comprising nearly 80% of Kenya’s landmass, often experience drought conditions.

Kenya hosts refugees from neighbouring countries, with around 623,500 registered refugees and asylum seekers present in the country by the end of October 2023. 86% of these refugees are from Somalia and South Sudan. Most have taken refuge in Dadaab and Kakuma camps, respectively located in Garissa and Turkana counties, both arid areas vulnerable to drought impacts.

Communities living in arid and semi-arid regions (36% of Kenya's population) face inadequate social services, poor physical infrastructure, and highly dispersed human settlements. They also experience higher poverty levels compared to the rest of the country.

The impact of the floods between October–December 2023 has affected more than 757,000 people, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region just as it recovers from the most severe drought in four decades. The drought left at least 1.5 million people in Kenya facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity levels between October 2023 and January 2024. The areas most affected by the El Niño rains are the semi-arid lands, where pastoralism is the main livelihood.

(UNHCR accessed 08/02/2024, IFRC 05/02/2024, UNFPA 24/01/2024, ASALS accessed 08/02/2024, IPC 01/09/2023)

Latest updates on country situation

07 December 2023

As at 6 November 2023, heavy rains in different parts of Kenya had displaced over 529,000 people, with over 160 fatalities reported. Health authorities have confirmed 105 cholera cases and three related deaths in Lamu county. Access constraints are limiting the response, with damaged roads and bridges cutting off some areas. (Capital News 06/12/2023, Citizen 05/12/2023)

21 November 2023

Flooding from the heavy rains that began on 8 November 2023 has affected nearly 25,000 people in refugee camps in Dadaab (Garissa). Bridges and roads have been damaged or destroyed, preventing humanitarian organisations from accessing affected areas. These include the Dadaab refugee complex, home to 300,000 refugees, most of whom are from Somalia. Some of the affected people are sheltering in schools or with other refugee families, leading to overcrowding in many households. The most urgent needs include shelter, clean drinking water, and food supplies. Poor WASH conditions are likely to worsen the humanitarian condition of affected people. Prior to the floods, half of Dadaab's residents did not have access to functional latrines. Flooding can increase the risk of outbreaks of waterborne diseases, such as cholera. The Deyr rainy season lasts from early October to December. (UNHCR 17/11/2023, MSF 21/11/2023)

26 May 2023

The Horn of Africa is facing a humanitarian crisis caused by climatic change and insecurity. The 2020–2022 drought displaced 2.7 million people and killed 13 million livestock. Deteriorating livelihoods, poor economic conditions, and insecurity are driving hunger, with more than 20 million people needing food assistance in Ethiopia, 1.2 million facing emergency levels of need in Kenya, and 6.6 million in Somalia anticipating Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity levels in June 2023. Approximately 1.2 million children, including 528,000 in Ethiopia, 242,500 in Kenya, and 478,000 in Somalia, will suffer from severe acute malnutrition. In Somalia, acute food insecurity is projected to deteriorate through June 2023, bringing 40,350 people to Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) food insecurity levels and facing starvation as a result of drought, high prices, and conflict. The 2023 humanitarian response is only 20% funded, with significant programming cuts expected. (OCHA 26/05/2023, DRC 21/05/2023, WFP 29/05/2023)

current crises
in Kenya


These crises have been identified through the INFORM Severity Index, a tool for measuring and comparing the severity of humanitarian crises globally.

Read more about the Index

REG014 - Eastern Africa Regional Drought Crisis

Last updated 29/02/2024


Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

4.1 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

KEN001 - Country level

Last updated 26/02/2024


Drivers

Drought
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.5 High

Access constraints

3.0

KEN002 - Refugee situation

Last updated 26/02/2024


Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3 Medium

Access constraints

3.0

KEN003 - Drought

Last updated 26/02/2024


Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.4 High

Access constraints

2.0

Analysis products
on Kenya

Kenya: flooding in eastern and northern counties

16 November 2023

Kenya: flooding in eastern and northern counties

DOCUMENT / PDF / 867 KB

Since the third week of October, the rainy season in Kenya has caused heavy storms and flooding, significantly impacting Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, and Wajir counties. As at 8 November, the storms and flooding had affected nearly 61,400 people across the country. 

Food security & livelihoodsNatural hazards
Horn of Africa: Impact of drought on children

24 April 2023

Horn of Africa: Impact of drought on children

DOCUMENT / PDF / 5 MB

Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia are currently experiencing one of the worst droughts in 60 years. The current drought is driving significant levels not only of food insecurity but also of WASH, health, and nutrition needs for the affected population.

Natural hazards
Kenya: impact of drought in Turkana and Marsabit counties

07 December 2022

Kenya: impact of drought in Turkana and Marsabit counties

DOCUMENT / PDF / 2 MB

In September 2021, the Kenyan President declared drought as a national disaster. As at July, the drought had affected 23 arid and semi-arid land counties out of the total 47 counties in the country. 4.4 million people are projected to face acute food insecurity at Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity levels in these 23 counties between October–December 2022.

Food security & livelihoodsNatural hazards
Kenya: Impact of drought

31 March 2022

Kenya: Impact of drought

DOCUMENT / PDF / 726 KB

This report highlights the impact of the current drought on marginalised communities in Kenya's arid and semi-arid lands. It examines their pre-existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities and humanitarian needs. It also analyses the possible progression of drought based on climate outlooks.

Natural hazards
Horn of Africa: Drought

22 July 2019

Horn of Africa: Drought

DOCUMENT / PDF / 830 KB

The Horn of Africa (including northeast Uganda) is currently experiencing a prolonged drought, largely as a result of below average precipitation from the seasonal short rains (April-July) and long rains (October-December). Prevailing dry conditions across the region have led to the deterioration of farmland and pastures, loss of livestock, sharply increased food prices, and reduction of the availability of water in these areas. 

Natural hazards
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