An estimated one million children under the age of five, as well as over 100,000 pregnant and lactating women, require immediate malnutrition treatment.
This comes as more than 3.5 million Kenyans face starvation as a result of a severe food shortage caused by drought-related crop failure.
According to data from the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS), the number of children suffering from acute malnutrition increased from 884,464 in August to 942,000 this month.
At the same time, the number of pregnant and lactating women in need of treatment for severe famine has risen to 134,000, up from 115,727 the previous month.
More than ten counties, primarily in Northern Kenya, are on alert, with thousands of families facing starvation and in desperate need of assistance.
According to the latest KRCS report, approximately 80,000 families in West Pokot face starvation, as do another 100,000 households in Turkana County.
Esther Chege, the KRCS Manager in charge of the North Rift, stated yesterday that they have begun providing vitamin A supplements, deworming children, and promoting appropriate child feeding practices.
In Turkana County, 8,000 children and 5,365 mothers are severely malnourished.
“We’re partnering with Usaid, Ministry of Health and the county government in provision of healthcare for those suffering malnutrition, especially children and the aged,” she said.
They are also rehabilitating water points to check the outbreak of waterborne diseases.
“We are working to save lives and build resilience in the most vulnerable communities,” Ms Chege added.
She stated that the agency has distributed food to households as well as drought-resistant seeds (sorghum, finger millet, and green grams) to affected families. It has also performed destocking.
Ms Chege stated that 103,000 Turkana households are at risk of starvation, with Turkana East, Turkana North, Kibish, and Loima sub-counties particularly hard hit.
More than 30,000 residents have been forced to cross into Uganda’s Katido and Kaboong districts in search of food, pasture, and water for their animals.
According to an NDMA report, families in arid and semi-arid lands (Asals) in 23 counties face food shortages as well as insufficient pasture and water for their animals.
Another report released in May by the Health Ministry, the Kenya Food Security Steering Group, and the Early Warning Systems Network identifies families in crisis in Samburu, Marsabit, Isiolo, and Garissa.
Mandera and Wajir are also in desperate need of humanitarian assistance due to malnutrition.
Leaders from the affected counties have petitioned the government to conduct humanitarian interventions in order to avoid disasters like those seen in previous droughts.
“The families have experienced difficulties in getting relief food and normal supply needs to be restored to avert further tragedy,” Ekiru Lobuel from Kibish Sub-county said.
Several counties in Northern Kenya’s drought-stricken region will benefit from funds coordinated by the NDMA to reduce the impact of childhood malnutrition.
The government has provided Sh1.1 billion to poor and vulnerable families in Turkana, Wajir, Mandera, and Garissa counties to help them cope with the effects of the drought.
The funds will be distributed through the Hunger Safety Net Program.
