The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has called on the national and County governments and their partners to significantly scale up both livelihood support and relief activities that reinforce coping strategies of populations affected by the ongoing drought.
The Authority warned that short rains season had ended, and that no County reported normal rainfall in December 2016, as most of them continued experiencing significant vegetation deficit.
"The short rains season has now ended, but it was far too brief and weak to have any meaningful impact on recovery. No county reported normal rainfall in December. Consequently, there is now a significant vegetation deficit across the ASALs,'' said NDMA.
In livestock areas, the National Drought Management Authority said water and forage situation had worsened, undermining production and disrupting the regular pattern of seasonal migration.
In a report released January 11, the Authority also predicted crop failure in Agricultural areas and falling of terms of trade, increasing the risk of conflict.
NDMA warned that without urgent and appropriate action, Kenya could see a repeat of the drought situation in 2011.
"Without urgent and appropriate action, Kenya could see a repeat of the drought situation in 2011.''
The report added: "The national and County governments and their partners should significantly scale up both livelihood support and relief activities that reinforce the coping strategies of affected populations.''