Severe drought conditions are affecting over 2 million people across Kenya as of February 2026, following the failure of the short rain season between October and December 2025, which was the driest since 1981. Rainfall across most arid and semi-arid counties reached only 30%–60% of the long-term average, significantly worsening food and water insecurity.
The Horn of Africa is experiencing its fourth consecutive failed rain season and the worst drought since 1981. At least 15 million people across Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia are already affected and there are fears this number could jump to 20 million.
Persistent rainfall deficits are causing high levels of atypical livestock migration in response to below-average forage and water availability, crop production significantly below average for the second consecutive season and food price increase, the Famine Early…
Below average rainfall across Kenya during the short rainy season from October to December of 2018 has been compounded by a delayed long rainy season from March to May of 2019. A drought alert has been raised for 15 arid and semi-arid counties while five counties…
