By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
16 January 2026 - At least one school has been closed as a group of Somali nationals fleeing the severe effects of drought crossed into Kenya in search of scarce water and pasture.
Residents in border areas including Hulugho, Damajaely, Hamey, and Jarajila have reported large numbers of immigrants, mainly women and children with their livestock, concentrating on a few water pans that are fast depleting.
Kenya Red Cross posted on their social media platform X account that Hifow Primary School in Garissa’s Danyeri has been closed as families have migrated with their children as a result of lack of water.
“Over 120 children who relied on the school for daily meals and safety are now out of class,” posted Kenya Red Cross.
The situation, according to some leaders, is so dire that they have asked President William Ruto to declare the current drought a national disaster.
“As of Tuesday, we have recorded 120 households, some of whom have come all the way from Kolbio and other areas in Somalia. These are small children and expectant mothers,” Hadi location Chief Noor Abdi Damoy said on Friday.
The area chief noted that they have documented new arrivals, whom he said are coming on a daily basis, adding that they do not have shelter and have come with their livestock.
Mohamud Adhan Abdi, a resident in Hadi location, said the situation is getting out of hand, adding that the few water pans they had are under pressure due to the large number of people and livestock in need of water.
“There are no dams or boreholes and the rain was not enough. There are serious challenges for mothers in labour; children and the elderly are in worse situations and we are calling for urgent help,” he said.
Abdi said they were already in a dire situation but their conditions have been worsened by people from across the border, appealing to the county and national government for intervention.
The locals noted that there has not been any investment by the county in dams and the river is hundreds of kilometres from them.
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Former Liboi ward representative Hussein Ahmed Bashir has called for immediate intervention from both the county and national governments, asking President Ruto to declare the situation a national disaster.
The former county lawmaker criticised the county leadership, including members of parliament, whom he accused of ignoring the plight of the people they represent, noting that both levels of government have done little to reduce the effects of the drought situation.
“The presence of NGOs who used to intervene at such times has not been felt; this is as a result of resource constraints they are facing. The situation is alarming and there is need for concerted efforts,” he said.
Bashir also confirmed a large number of immigrants in Liboi, adding that in Dadaab sub-county, Liboi is the worst hit by the dry spell.
“Livestock, which is the key backbone of our economy, has started dying. Human life is also at risk due to drought-related illness. This is the reason we are appealing for President Ruto to declare a national disaster and for resources to be given to help people affected by the drought,” he said.
Garissa County’s Kenya Red Cross Coordinator Daud Ahmed Shale also confirmed mass migration of people fleeing the dry spell and looking for greener pastures.
He said the situation is becoming dire and is at an alarming level, noting that the agency is closely monitoring the situation on the ground.
“We are closely monitoring the situation, doing rapid assessment through our teams on the ground. The situation is not good; boreholes are breaking as a result of pressure and livestock have become weak as a result of going longer distances,” said the Red Cross county boss.
He added that Kenya Red Cross is currently supported by UNICEF in doing nutrition outreach to children under five, lactating mothers, as well as the elderly.
“If the situation escalates, the Red Cross will support water trucking and relief food distribution that we are currently mobilising resources for,” he added.
