Kenya

Five consecutive seasons of poor rainfall between 2020 and 2023 in the Horn of Africa have led to the most severe drought on record in Kenya. Concurrent shocks, including the socioeconomic impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and pest infestations—namely migratory desert locust infestations— prevented households from recovering fully from previous droughts, drastically reducing household resilience. Critical water shortages in drought-affected areas have devastated food security, livelihoods, and livestock conditions.

In addition, at-risk populations across Kenya continue to confront additional challenges—including disease outbreaks, localized intercommunal conflict, seasonal flooding, and limited access to health and water, sanitation, and hygiene services—that contribute to persistent humanitarian needs in Kenya. Through ongoing programs, USAID supports efforts to strengthen health and nutrition systems in drought-affected areas, in coordination with resilience initiatives to mitigate the effects of recurrent natural hazards.