Drought spreads beyond Kenya’s arid north, plunging herders into crisis

Livestock herders across Kenya are facing a deepening economic and humanitarian crisis as a prolonged drought extends beyond the country's historically arid northern regions into central and southern territories this month. The shift in climate patterns has decimated grazing lands and water sources, forcing pastoralist communities to migrate vast distances in search of sustenance for their depleting herds. This geographic expansion of the drought is driven by consecutive failed rainy seasons and the broader impact of climate change, which has pushed local economies to the brink of collapse as livestock—the primary source of wealth for millions—perish in record numbers. Historically, drought in Kenya was largely confined to the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) in the north, but the current environmental emergency is penetrating areas previously considered resilient. In counties like Kajiado and Narok, which are typically more temperate, the ground has turned into dust, leaving cattle carcasses scattered across the landscape. The lack of pasture has forced herders into dangerous territory, sometimes leading to conflicts with private landowners or wildlife conservation areas as they desperately seek green vegetation to keep their remaining animals alive. Economically, the crisis is devastating the national livestock sector, which contributes significantly to Kenya's agricultural GDP. With the market flooded by emaciated animals, livestock prices have plummeted, robbing families of their purchasing power at a time when food prices are soaring due to the same lack of rainfall. Local government officials and international NGOs are calling for urgent intervention, warning that without immediate water trucking and emergency fodder distribution, the loss of livelihoods will lead to long-term dependency on food aid and a permanent shift in the region's demographic and economic structure.