The Ministry of Health has pledged to work with partners in providing emergency food and health supplements to Kenyans affected by drought.
Health CS Susan Wafula on Tuesday held a meeting with Mandera Governor Adan Khalif to discuss key issues affecting the Asal counties.
Mandera is among the counties affected by the ongoing drought that has taken a toll on children’s nutrition.
“We discussed the drought in Mandera, and the resultant malnutrition, especially among children. The government and partners are working to offer emergency foods and health supplements for the residents,” Wafula said.
“We also discussed the cholera outbreak in parts of Northern Kenya. I assured the Governor that the ministry would continue the cholera vaccination drive to safeguard lives and livelihoods.”
The country has been battling the worst outbreak of cholera that has spread to 15 other counties with 4,566 cases reported to date.
The outbreak was first reported in October 2022, with the first cases being detected in Kiambu.
The ministry has associated the ongoing outbreak in the country with the sprouting of unregulated water vendors.
“The prolonged drought has led to a scarcity of safe drinking water in Asal areas forcing communities to fetch water from contaminated shallow wells,” Wafula said.
According to Unicef, at least Sh17 billion will be required to meet the needs of children and families affected by drought.
Unicef Kenya Representative Shaheen Nilofer on Monday said Sh2 billion has been received mainly for nutrition supplies, leaving a gap of Sh15 billion, or 86 per cent.
She estimated that more than 970,000 children under five and 142,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers now require urgent lifesaving treatment for malnutrition.
This is an increase from 884,000 in July 2022.
“Over 2.5 million children, especially adolescent girls and boys, need support to return to school,” she said.
Nilofer said the priority is meeting the immediate needs of children affected by the current drought and building resilience in drought-affected areas.
