By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
Kenya, 14 November 2025 - Northeastern Kenya, being part of the ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) regions, often experiences severe climatic conditions, including prolonged droughts, extreme heat, and water scarcity, which heavily impacts livelihoods and access to essential services.
In Mandera County, the situation has reached a crisis stage as worsening drought conditions continue to reduce rainfall, leading to rising food insecurity and drying up of water sources.
More than 100,000 residents across the county, who depend on livestock as their primary source of livelihood, are now highly vulnerable due to the harsh climatic conditions.
In Mandera North, water points such as earth pans have dried up, while grasslands are rapidly diminishing.
This has forced herders and residents to travel long distances with their animals and belongings in search of water and grazing fields.
Mr Osman Dhahir, who is a resident of Shangallo village in Mandera North, expressed deep concern over the worsening situation, saying the community is now focused solely on survival as water sources continue to dry up.
"The situation is dire. Every day, our main struggle is finding water — not just for our livestock, but for our children as well," he said.
Mr Robow Maalim, another resident in Jabi, emphasised that livelihoods are now at stake as the drought intensifies.
"Our biggest task now is protecting our livestock, because they are our only source of survival," he said.
In Mandera East’s Libihia village, livestock deaths are rising, leaving families without income and pushing many into deeper poverty.
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Mothers and children are the most affected, with malnutrition cases beginning to rise.
Hopes for the long-awaited short rains are fading as scorching temperatures, rising up to 38 degrees Celsius the highest recorded in three years continue to push communities into deeper despair.
As part of a mitigation program for the affected residents, the County Government has begun drought response measures following the prolonged dry spell and the unpredictable short rains.
The government has commenced the distribution of water to affected populations through water trucking.
Residents are pleading for urgent support, saying every day without assistance puts more lives at risk.
They are calling on the county and national governments, as well as humanitarian partners, to speed up drought-response efforts, including water trucking, livestock feed, and medical aid for the most vulnerable before the situation becomes unbearable.
The most affected areas include Mandera East, Mandera North, parts of Mandera West, and Lafey.
