Latest updates on country situation
15 April 2024
Since 9 April 2024, heavy rains and flash floods in Kenya have led to the death of more than 13 people, with an estimated 15,000 people displaced. The March–May rainy season has brought about intense storms, rising river levels, infrastructure damage, and livestock and property losses. Impeded road access across various regions is disrupting access to essential services, including markets and healthcare facilities. Particularly affected counties include Garissa, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Kisumu, Kitui, Marsabit, Meru, Murang’a, Nairobi, Tana River, and Turkana, where several roads are inundated. Affected populations require shelter and increased healthcare access. Despite efforts to address immediate needs such as food, water, sanitation, shelter, medical aid, and evacuation support, persistent challenges remain. The Kenya Meteorological Department warns of continued heavy rainfall with the likelihood of flash floods in several parts of the country, including the Highlands, Rift Valley, Lake Victoria Basin, Southeastern lowlands, Coastal, Northwestern, and Northeastern regions. (OCHA 11/04/2024, VOA 12/04/2024, ECHO 12/04/2024)
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.
REG014 - Eastern Africa Regional Drought Crisis
Last updated 28/03/2024
Drivers
Drought
Crisis level
Regional
Severity level
4.1 Very High
Access constraints
5.0
KEN001 - Country level
Last updated 28/03/2024
Drivers
Drought
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.5 High
Access constraints
3.0
KEN002 - Refugee situation
Last updated 28/03/2024
Drivers
Displacement
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3 Medium
Access constraints
3.0
KEN003 - Drought
Last updated 28/03/2024
Drivers
Drought
Crisis level
Country
Severity level
3.4 High
Access constraints
2.0
Analysis products
on
Kenya
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.