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Country analysis

Kenya

Kenya is currently facing two humanitarian crises: the drought and the refugee crisis. Arid and semi-arid counties, which make up nearly 80% of Kenya’s landmass, are currently experiencing drought conditions.

At the same time, Kenya has been hosting refugees displaced from neighbouring countries since 1991. At least 573,500 registered refugees and asylum seekers were present in Kenya by the end of 2022, with 85% displaced from Somalia and South Sudan. The majority has taken shelter in Dadaab and Kakuma camps, respectively located in Garissa and Turkana counties, both arid areas affected by the drought.

Communities living in arid and semiarid regions (30% of Kenya's population) are often marginalised and face inadequate social services, poor physical infrastructure, and highly dispersed human settlements. They also experience higher levels of poverty compared to the rest of the country.

The drought has affected their sources of livelihood – pastoralism and small-scale agriculture – particularly after the fifth consecutive below-average rainy season (October–December 2022) since 2020. Humanitarian needs in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya continue to rise because of the severe drought. 5.4 million people in arid and semi-arid counties are projected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity levels from March–June 2023.

(UNHCR 31/12/2022, UNFPA 27/12/2022, ASALS accessed 30/01/2023, IPC 21/02/2023, The East African 20/11/2022)

Kenya is currently facing two humanitarian crises: the drought and the refugee crisis. Arid and semi-arid counties, which make up nearly 80% of Kenya’s landmass, are currently experiencing drought conditions.

At the same time, Kenya has been hosting refugees displaced from neighbouring countries since 1991. At least 573,500 registered refugees and asylum seekers were present in Kenya by the end of 2022, with 85% displaced from Somalia and South Sudan. The majority has taken shelter in Dadaab and Kakuma camps, respectively located in Garissa and Turkana counties, both arid areas affected by the drought.

Communities living in arid and semiarid regions (30% of Kenya's population) are often marginalised and face inadequate social services, poor physical infrastructure, and highly dispersed human settlements. They also experience higher levels of poverty compared to the rest of the country.

The drought has affected their sources of livelihood – pastoralism and small-scale agriculture – particularly after the fifth consecutive below-average rainy season (October–December 2022) since 2020. Humanitarian needs in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya continue to rise because of the severe drought. 5.4 million people in arid and semi-arid counties are projected to face Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse food insecurity levels from March–June 2023.

(UNHCR 31/12/2022, UNFPA 27/12/2022, ASALS accessed 30/01/2023, IPC 21/02/2023, The East African 20/11/2022)

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Latest updates on country situation

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 31/08/2023

Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Regional

Severity level

4.2 Very High

Access constraints

5.0

KEN001 - Country level

Last updated 28/08/2023

Drivers

Drought
Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.7 High

Access constraints

3.0

KEN002 - Refugee situation

Last updated 28/08/2023

Drivers

Displacement

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3 Medium

Access constraints

3.0

KEN003 - Drought

Last updated 28/08/2023

Drivers

Drought

Crisis level

Country

Severity level

3.9 High

Access constraints

3.0

Analysis products
on Kenya

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
Kenya: Drought

05 June 2019

Kenya: Drought

DOCUMENT / PDF / 522 KB

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

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