Kitui and Taita Taveta counties are still stuck in the alert drought phase, the latest report by the National Drought Management Authority shows.
The report shows four counties in the Asal and Semi-arid regions have started recovering from drought as a result of the March-April-May (MAM) rainfall season.
They include Marsabit, Isiolo, Nyeri and Kwale while 17 other counties are in normal drought phase.
These are West Pokot, Baringo, Turkana, Samburu, Laikipia, Narok, Kajiado, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Makueni, Tana River, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Lamu and Kilifi counties.
The report, however, shows that issues of malnutrition still remain critical in the Asal counties owing to the time lag between drought recovery and food availability.
NDMA estimates that people in need of assistance stood at 4.4 million following the short rains (SRA) 2022 food security assessment in February 2023.
"Additionally, the rains in most Arid counties led to flash floods which had negative impacts on the local livelihoods and critical facilities like roads," the report says.
The Coast marginal agricultural counties including Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu received low amounts of rainfall.
The report further forecasts that most parts of the Asals will experience generally sunny and dry conditions.
"Generally, the forage condition in the month of May showed great improvement when compared to that of April 2023 with the exception of parts of Kajiado, Turkana and Taita Taveta counties," the report said.
There is a general improving trend in distance to household from water source in comparison with the previous month, the report noted.
It recommends provision of food and scaling up of cash transfers targeting households which are currently food insecure as a result of the prevailing drought and other shocks stress.
