Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and Special Programs, Geoffrey Ruku in Tana River to assess the drought situation. Photo/handoutThe national
government has stepped up its response to the drought in Tana River county, with officials assessing the situation and rolling out urgent intervention measures.
During a tour
of Assa location, one of the worst-hit areas, Public
Service and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said government agencies mandated to
manage disasters were already on the ground evaluating the extent of the crisis
before implementing long-term solutions.
Ruku said the
National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) would identify suitable areas for
the construction of large dams and water pans to harvest rain and flood water
for use during future dry seasons.
“I have
directed NDMA to look for funds to desilt the Assa Dam and the other water pans
so that we can harvest enough rain and flood water,” he said.
Garsen MP Ali
Wario said residents were facing acute food shortages and appealed for support
from both the national and county governments and well-wishers.
“Residents here
reside in scattered areas due to drought and harsh climatic conditions and in
Assa division we have secured 200 bags of rice and another 200 of beans and the
one for Kone and Bombi will be stored and transported within two days,” Wario said.
Wayu MCA Maka Jarso said the drought had placed
thousands of residents at risk of starvation.
“In Galedertu subcounty alone, more than 20,000 residents are at risk of starvation due to
the drought situation,” he said.
Jarso said the
situation on the ground remained dire, with communities struggling to access
both food and water.
“We are in dire
need of food aid because the drought has really hit us hard, our animals are
dying and we even don’t have water,” he said.
Residents also
expressed frustration over what they described as neglect by the county
government. Assa resident Baloni Barisa accused the Tana River County government of abandoning affected communities.
“I have not
bathed for three days because my wife has to walk more than six kilometres to fetch water which is only used for cooking since she can’t fetch enough for the
family due to the congestion at the only remaining water pan,” Barisa said.
Instant analysis
The drought in
Tana River County highlights the persistent vulnerability of arid and semi-arid
regions to climate shocks and slow relief response systems. While the national
government’s intervention signals urgency, the crisis exposes long-standing
gaps in water harvesting, storage infrastructure, and coordinated disaster
preparedness.