By Jeff Kizzilah
Governors meeting at the Council of Governors (CoG) retreat in Kilifi have raised serious concerns over the worsening drought crisis affecting several parts of the country, with Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties bearing the brunt of the unfolding humanitarian emergency.
During the retreat, the Governors noted that prolonged dry spells have continued to threaten lives, livestock, and livelihoods, pushing already vulnerable communities closer to crisis levels. They warned that without urgent and coordinated intervention, the situation could deteriorate further, leading to avoidable loss of life and economic devastation.
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The county chiefs called on the National Government, development partners, and humanitarian stakeholders to urgently scale up drought mitigation and response efforts, including food assistance, water provision, livestock support, and early warning systems.
Governors emphasised that county governments have exhausted much of their available resources and cannot tackle the crisis alone, stressing the need for faster disbursement of funds, enhanced intergovernmental coordination, and long-term investments in climate resilience.
They further urged stakeholders to move beyond policy discussions and commit to immediate, practical action to cushion affected communities, particularly in ASAL regions where the impacts are already severe.
The Governors warned that failure to act decisively risks reversing development gains and exposing millions of Kenyans to hunger, displacement, and economic hardship.
