Government Disburses Sh870 Million to Drought-Affected Households in ASAL Counties

The Government has disbursed Sh870.38 million to support 132,780 vulnerable households affected by drought across eight arid and semi-arid counties under the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP).

The cash transfers, implemented through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), are part of ongoing efforts to cushion vulnerable populations from the impacts of the prevailing drought, which has followed consecutive seasons of below-average rainfall.

The targeted households are drawn from Mandera, Marsabit, Wajir, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa and Tana River counties—regions that continue to experience worsening food security due to prolonged dry conditions.

According to NDMA, the cash transfers are aimed at strengthening household purchasing power, reducing harmful coping mechanisms, stabilising food consumption and protecting basic livelihoods during the current drought period.

The authority noted that the ongoing drought has significantly undermined food security across arid and semi-arid areas, leaving many households struggling to meet basic food and essential needs.

Speaking during a visit to a payment point in Afwein Ward, Garissa County, NDMA Chief Executive Officer Lt. Col. (Rtd) Hared Adan said the cash transfers are a critical lifeline for affected families.

“As drought conditions persist, the Government is prioritising social protection alongside other response measures to prevent further deterioration of food and nutrition security among vulnerable populations,” Adan said.

He added that the disbursement forms a key component of the Government’s early response strategy, enabling households to cope with immediate needs as broader drought response interventions are scaled up in collaboration with humanitarian and development partners.

The Government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting communities in drought-prone areas through timely interventions aimed at building resilience and safeguarding livelihoods.