By Afrireport 
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on the government to urgently declare the worsening drought situation in Kenya’s North Eastern region a national disaster, warning that delays could push already vulnerable communities into a full blown humanitarian crisis.
Speaking during a meeting with local leaders and relief agencies, Gachagua said the impact of the prolonged dry spell in Garissa, Wajir and Mandera counties had gone beyond normal coping mechanisms.
He noted that thousands of households have lost livestock, water sources have dried up and cases of malnutrition among children and expectant mothers are rising at an alarming rate.
Rigathi also said a formal declaration would unlock emergency funding and allow faster coordination between national agencies, county governments and humanitarian partners.
He argued that existing interventions were insufficient given the scale and severity of the crisis on the ground.
This is no longer a routine drought. It is a national emergency that requires extraordinary measures,” he said.
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Gachagua criticised what he described as slow bureaucratic processes that often delay relief efforts until the situation has already deteriorated.
He urged the National Drought Management Authority, the Treasury and relevant ministries to fast track assessments and response plans, including food aid, water trucking and livestock support programmes.
Local leaders from the region echoed his sentiments, saying communities were struggling to survive as pasture and water become increasingly scarce.
Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi said many families had been forced to migrate in search of water, disrupting education and increasing the risk of conflict over limited resources.
He warned that without immediate intervention, the region could witness increased displacement and preventable deaths.
Humanitarian organisations operating in North Eastern Kenya have also raised red flags, noting that climate shocks are becoming more frequent and intense.
They have called for both emergency assistance and long term investments in water infrastructure, climate resilient livelihoods and early warning systems to reduce future vulnerability.
The Deputy President acknowledged that drought is a recurring challenge but insisted that government response must evolve with changing climate realities.
He said lessons from past crises should inform quicker, more decisive action, particularly in historically marginalised regions.
As pressure mounts on the government, Kenyans are watching closely to see whether the call to declare the drought a national disaster will be acted upon.
For affected communities in North Eastern, such a move could mean the difference between timely relief and deepening hardship.
