The Kenya Red Cross has activated disaster operations at the subcounty levels in the 14 counties highly affected by the drought.
The organisation is seeking to assist in the coordination of interventions to support the over two million Kenyans affected by the drought.
Individuals and organisations, both local and international, that may want to support the drought victims have to go through the Kenya Red Cross disaster teams at subcounty levels.
Bernard Ndingila from the Kenya Red Cross Disaster department in Nairobi said currently there are over 600,000 children under five years with cases of malnutrition who require urgent intervention to prevent deaths.
Speaking in Taita Taveta county during relief distribution to over 1,000 households donated by Last Resort organisation from Kenya, Ndingila said beneficiaries will get food to last them three weeks.
"We have activated full disaster operations in the country, we have teams in the subcounty levels for coordination purposes so any individuals or organisations who may want to support can see Kenya Red Cross because the needs are many," he said.
He said 96,000 breasfeeding mothers have so far been affected by the drought and require urgent support.
"This means they are feeling the effects through malnutrition because of lack of adequate food and over 600,000 children under five are malnourished and need nutrition support," he said.
Initially, he said there were four counties affected in northern Kenya but currently the situation has deteriorated.
"We are looking at 14 counties which are very much affected and which are in the arid and semi-arid areas," he said.
Ndingila said in the Coast region, counties affected include Lamu, Tana River and Taita Taveta, Kilifi, and Kwale.
In Taita Taveta, he said there are parts that are not severely affected but there are others that are hard hit including Taveta, and parts of Wundanyi.
He said they have been supporting interventions by providing relief food, cash transfers and provision of water through water tracking where other methods are not working.
"We identified the most vulnerable households and those are the ones we are giving food now, we are also going to distribute in Mahoo Taita Taveta county and Kamtonga in Mwatate," he said during the distribution at Mlilo area.
During the distribution in Taita Taveta county where over 70,000 people have been affected, it emerged that most of the victims are in dire need of food and water as water sources have dried.
Further, there are emerging cases of human-wildlife conflicts as animals from Tsavo East and West national parks are crossing over to the communities in search of water.
Kishusho location chief David Mwandahina said they last received short rains in March but could not harvest hence why there are serious effects of the drought.
He thanked the Kenya Red Cross and Last Resort organisation for supporting the families but urged for more support saying there are many others who have not received the help.
Currently he said, there is a serious shortage of livestock grass and water which has led to deaths, and appealed for intervention to save the remaining animals.
"We have witnessed deaths of cows, goats due to diseases related to the drought," she said.
Loice Mwange, a resident of Kamtonga, said many residents in the area have no business and rely on farming and livestock keeping but due to the drought, they have been losing their animals.
She said they have not received rainfall for the last two seasons and now they have no food and are forced to sleep hungry.
"Another problem that is affecting us are the elephants who are destroying our crops. We thank you for coming to support us and pray that you continue supporting us," she said.
Beatrice Mwakio from Mlilo area said drought has affected them leading to deaths of livestock as both people and livestock have no access to water and food.
She said in her area, one has to climb to the of the hill where there is water and not everybody can get there.
"As a mother, I go for long distances when the water dries up. I have to climb Mwanjila or Mbulia hill and so it is tough for those who are weak and cannot go there to get the water," she said.
Grace Mjomba, a resident of Mlilo, said women and school children are the most affected as they have no food.
"We walk for three hours to get water because of the drought, we have also begun losing goats, sheep, and chicken because of the lack of water. We are greatful for the food distribution and pray that you continue supporting us," he said.
Josiah Mwadime, a person living with disability from Ndigai village, said they are facing many challenges due to the disaster and require support to survive.
-Edited by SKanyara
