President William Ruto has made a rallying call for assistance to help the country mitigate the effects of the ongoing drought.
He said the crisis was worsening, pointing out that there was urgent need for intervention.
"We call on partners, the private sector and well-wishers to step forward and support us in saving lives and building long-term resilience" he said.
"Kenya commits to fully account for the donated resources," he assured.
The President spoke shortly after receiving the 2022 Short Rains (October to December) Assessment Report.
He noted that the drought has led to widespread distress and suffering.
Latest statistics from the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) indicate that drought in Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo, Kitui and Kajiado counties has reached the alarm stage.
Others such as Embu, Narok, Taita Taveta, Makueni, Meru, Nyeri and Lamu counties are in the alert drought phase.
The drought continues to worsen in 21 of the 23 Arid and Semi-Arid counties.
The prevailing situation has been attributed to four consecutively failed rain seasons and the late onset and poorly distributed short rain season in 2022.
The number of people in need of humanitarian aid currently stands at 4.35 million, the 2022 Long Rains Food and Nutritional Security Assessment Report says.
The National Steering Committee on Drought Response has so far raised at least Sh650 million towards mitigation efforts.
So far, the amount has been used to distribute food in some of the worst-hit counties including Mandera, Kitui, Kilifi and Samburu and Meru counties.
At least 85,000 people from the five counties have received food donations from the task force interventions.
Present during the report submission were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries, Diplomats, the drought response task force and the private sector.
