Eastern Kenya near the Somali border is hit by a climate-driven crisis with emaciated livestock and widespread water and pasture shortages, part of four consecutive failed wet seasons in the Horn of Africa.

Drought conditions span about 10 counties in Kenya, with Mandera county at an alarm level due to critical water shortages, livestock losses, and child wasting.

The drought’s impact extends into Somalia, Tanzania, and Uganda, with the World Health Organization noting similar water shortages and shifting weather patterns in late January.

In Somalia, more than 3 million people are displaced internally, and many depend on one meal per day or less, with clear malnutrition among children amid severe humanitarian stress.

Islamic Relief reports extreme food shortages and widespread displacement in Somalia, with over 3 million displaced and camps seeing extreme hunger, especially among children.

Historically, the region faced a similar ordeal from 2020 to 2023 when livestock losses mounted and famine was averted only by international aid surges, highlighting ongoing vulnerability to climate shocks.

Experts attribute drought and livestock losses to climate change, noting warmer Indian Ocean temperatures fuel stronger storms and longer, more intense droughts, while rain-fed farming leaves Africa highly vulnerable despite contributing just 3–4% of global emissions.

The broader Africa-focused risk emphasizes vulnerability to climate impacts due to limited disaster preparedness and heavy reliance on rain-fed agriculture, despite a small share of global emissions.

Climate change is a key driver: warmer Indian Ocean temperatures are linked to more intense tropical storms, longer droughts, and disrupted rainfall patterns threatening rain-fed agriculture across Africa.

The wider picture shows climate change intensifying droughts and heat in East Africa, endangering livelihoods and food security across several countries in the region.

In parts of Kenya, a severe drought has left more than 2 million people facing hunger, with northeast cattle-keeping communities among the hardest hit according to the United Nations and aid groups.

The drought-driven hunger crisis in Kenya affects over 2 million people, with cattle-keeping communities in the northeast most at risk.