PS Kello Harsama Leads Kenya’s Swift Preparations for Impending Drought

By John Kariuki

Kenya is bracing for an impending drought, with the government putting in place proactive measures to protect citizens, food security, and livelihoods from the looming crisis.

Principal Secretary in the State Department of Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) and Regional Development, Kello Harsama, has confirmed that the country is expected to face a dry spell similar to the devastating drought witnessed between 2021 and 2023. That crisis saw more than 2.5 million people affected, over 2.5 million livestock lost, and emergency food aid becoming a lifeline for many households.

The meteorological department has already projected that the short rains, expected in October, will be weaker than usual. This is likely to reduce food production and trigger shortages if urgent action is not taken.

In response, the Kenyan government, working closely with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), has enhanced institutional capacity to manage the situation. PS Harsama assured Kenyans that the government is fully committed to ensuring no citizen dies of hunger, in line with Article 43 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to food.

Government projections indicate that 1.8 million people may require emergency food assistance in the next three months. To cushion communities, more than KSh 4 billion will be allocated for food procurement, which will be sourced locally from Kenyan farmers. This approach, Harsama noted, is part of a broader strategy to boost domestic production and reduce reliance on imports. Encouragingly, Kenya is on track to produce over 70 million bags of maize this year, a significant step toward food self-sufficiency.

While the exact budget for drought response is yet to be finalized, Harsama said funds will be mobilized from the Treasury’s Civil Contingency Fund under Article 223 of the Constitution. Additional resources will also be directed to resilience-building efforts such as water supply, livestock restocking, and targeted relief programs.

The State Department of Special Programs is on standby to provide immediate aid to affected families. Kenya’s proactive stance demonstrates a clear shift from reactive crisis management to forward-looking planning, ensuring the nation is better prepared to safeguard its people and economy against the looming drought.