Kenya declares drought a national disaster

Kenya has declared the ongoing severe drought a national disaster on Friday, calling for aid to counter the biting hunger that is posing a major risk to people, livestock and wildlife.

This was declared by President Uhuru Kenyatta who further said that the drought has affected 23 out of the country’s 47 counties and called for “local and international partners to come in and support the government’s efforts to contain the situation.

The presidency did not set out how much the government needed for the drought, but said it had released $70 million and local authorities had provided another 20 million dollars. Out of Kenya’s 47 counties, 23 have been deemed to be facing disastrous drought.

The Kenya Red Cross has estimated around 2.7 million people are in need of food aid after low rainfall in October and November and the next rainy season not due before April.