SUPKEM Sounds Alarm Over Arid and Semi-Arid (ASAL) Counties Drought Crisis
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 5 – The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims(SUPKEM) has expressed concern over the current drought situation in Kenya is not just an agricultural crisis but a humanitarian disaster that threatens the very fabric of our communities.
While addressing the media at its offices in Nairobi they note that recent Kenya Drought Report by the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), the food-insecure population has significantly increased for the February-March 2025 period compared to the previous year as the crisis is deeply intertwined with a critical lack of water access, which is equally urgent and devastating.
They note that Access to clean and safe water has become critically limited with the reality is stark: families are struggling to provide water not only for their own consumption but also for their livestock, which are essential for their livelihoods.
This dual crisis of food and water insecurity is a ticking time bomb that, if not addressed, will lead to irreversible suffering and loss.
“We urgently call upon the Government of Kenya to mobilize all its water resources, including water tankers from the National Youth Service, the Military and the Ministry of Water Resources, to provide immediate help and support to the affected communities”, they said.
Affected Regions in Kenya encompasses 23 Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties, nine of which are classified as arid and fourteen as semi-arid with these regions are the hardest hit, where the effects of climate change and inadequate rainfall have compounded the vulnerabilities faced by local communities.
Additionally, Impact of Poor Rains the below-normal short rains from October to December 2024 have severely stressed agricultural production and water availability the failures have reversed the gains made in previous seasons, worsening both food and water insecurity.
“Contributing Factors includes Widespread crop failures, low agricultural productivity, high fuel and fertilizer costs, and increased pests and diseases have all contributed to this diresituation, the consequences extend beyond immediate food shortages, affecting health. education and economic stability in these communities”.
By late 2025 and early 2026 the situation has worsened drastically, putting millions at risk with the ongoing drought leaving communities in ASAL counties facing severe hardships, with authorities warning of continuing vulnerabilities until the next rainy season.
Further, The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims calls upon the Government of Kenya, County governments in the affected counties, Muslim well wishers and institutions and all partners to mobilize emergency resources to address this multifaceted crisis in the most affected counties.
Local populations are sending out distress calls, witnessing a steady rise in livestock losses and critical water shortages that threaten their very survival.
“We call upon the President of the Republic of Kenya Dr. William Ruto to declare a national emergency, this declaration is vital to facilitate the mobilization and deployment of necessary resources to combat this worsening situation”.
Ahead of Ramadhan, a month dedicated to compassion and generosity, they call upon all stakeholders government, NGOs and individuals to respond to this urgent crisis.
“Together, we can alleviate the suffering of our fellow Kenyans, embodying the spirit of solidarity that defines our shared humanity”.
