SUPKEM Urges Government to Intervene as Drought Ravages Northern Counties
The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) has called on the government to urgently intervene to address the worsening drought situation affecting Northern and other Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday in Nairobi, SUPKEM National Chairperson Hassan Ole Naado warned that the drought has escalated into a humanitarian crisis, threatening livelihoods and the survival of vulnerable communities.
Rising Food and Water Insecurity
SUPKEM cited findings from the Kenya Drought Report by the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), which shows a significant rise in the food-insecure population during the February–March 2025 period compared to the previous year. However, the council emphasized that water scarcity is an equally urgent crisis.
Access to clean and safe water has become critically limited, with families struggling to meet basic household needs while also sustaining livestock, a key source of livelihood in pastoral regions.
Call for Immediate Government Action
The council urged the Government of Kenya to urgently mobilize all available water resources, including water tankers from the National Youth Service (NYS), the Kenya Defence Forces, and the Ministry of Water and Sanitation. SUPKEM noted that a coordinated national response is necessary to prevent further loss of life and livelihoods.
Kenya has 23 ASAL counties, nine classified as arid and fourteen as semi-arid, which remain the hardest hit by prolonged dry conditions and climate variability.
Poor Rains and Compounding Challenges
According to SUPKEM, below-normal short rains between October and December 2024 have severely disrupted agricultural production and water availability, reversing gains made in previous seasons.
Crop failures, low productivity, high fuel and fertilizer costs, and increased pests and diseases have worsened the situation, affecting food security, health, education, and economic stability.
By late 2025 and early 2026, authorities warn that millions could face severe food and water shortages unless urgent action is taken.
Call for National Emergency Declaration
SUPKEM called on President William Ruto to declare the drought a national emergency to fast-track resource mobilization and response efforts.
As the holy month of Ramadhan approaches, the council also appealed to county governments, NGOs, Muslim institutions, and well-wishers to support affected communities in the spirit of compassion and solidarity.