East Africa Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has said the drought situation remains critical in 22 of the 23 Asal counties.
This, the CS said, is due to poor rains from October to December when the short rains season usually appears.
"On the contrary, the period during which short rains are expected ended up posting poor rainfall right across most of the Asals," she said.
"This marked the fifth consecutive failed rain season."
She said at least 4.35 million Kenyans are in dire need of relief food.
Nine counties have been mapped by the government as being in the alarm drought phase.
They include Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo and Kajiado.
Thirteen counties of Garissa, Lamu, Narok, Tana River, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Taita Taveta, West Pokot, Nyeri and Kwale have been mapped as being in alert drought phase.
The private sector-led national steering committee on drought response established by President William Ruto last year was able to distribute relief food to 14,300 households in five counties.
The relief assistance according to the CS targeted 2,860 households in the worst affected subcounties of Magarini, Mwingi North, Samburu East, Moyale and Igembe North.
