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A severe drought impacting northern Kenya and adjacent Somalia has led to higher cross-border movement of livestock and households into border villages in Hulugho, Garissa county, fueling concerns about an escalating humanitarian situation.

Families escaping Somalia are entering Kenya in search of grazing land, water, and sustenance as extended dry weather keeps on damaging lives on both sides of the border.

The circumstances have been worsened by the movement of livestock between and within counties in Garissa, Mandera, and Wajir, placing additional pressure on limited resources in the area.

The present crisis comes after three straight unsuccessful rainy seasons — the October–December 2024 short rains, the total failure of the March–May 2025 long rains, and the October–December 2025 short rains.

Although wealthier households have been able to move their animals via trucks to regions with more favorable grazing areas, poorer families are facing the worst of the situation. Many people say their livestock is quickly declining and dying, destroying their main means of income.

Southward movement toward the Boni Forest has also been noted, with the forest acting as a secondary source of pasture and water due to the extensive loss of grazing areas.

Abdi Noor, a father of six from Somalia, is one of the affected individuals. He is currently staying with his family in Hadi, Hulugho subcounty.

We have lost everything. All my goats and camels have died. There is no grass and no water. My children are sleeping with empty stomachs, and I don’t know what the future holds,” Noor said. “I had to move quickly and cross over to see if we could receive any help.

Amina Hassan, a mother of five who recently came from Somalia, shared that the journey was heartbreaking, explaining that desperation compelled her family to leave.

We traveled for days with our children. We came here because we heard there could be assistance, but life remains extremely difficult,” she said. “My plea to the Kenyan government and those who care is to save us before we all die.

Noor Abdi Damoy, the head of the Hadi area, requested immediate food assistance, cautioning that numerous households had already begun missing meals.

“I wish to draw the attention of all relevant authorities to the drought conditions. I am currently accommodating drought victims who require food, water, and shelter. Some of them have young children,” Damoy stated.

He cautioned that not acting quickly could lead to loss of lives. “There is an urgent requirement for action before the situation worsens into fatalities,” he further stated.

The ongoing crisis has increased the pressure on the national government to classify drought as a national disaster.

Last month, members of parliament from the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (Asal) regions called on the government to implement this measure, highlighting increasing hardship within pastoralist communities.

Under the leadership of Adan Keynan, an MP from Eldas and head of the Northern Kenya Parliamentary Group, the lawmakers stated that declaring a disaster would release emergency funds, expedite humanitarian efforts, and allow international partners to expand their assistance.

They mentioned that leaders in the area were also seeking long-term, sustainable approaches to tackle the deteriorating drought.

Reduced precipitation, worsened by La Niña and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole, has led to elevated temperatures and lower rainfall in many parts of northern Kenya.

The overall effect has resulted in water sources being exhausted, ways of life being disturbed, and thousands of families facing difficulties in staying alive, especially in Asal counties.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

The ongoing drought in northern Kenya reveals the significant vulnerability of pastoralist ways of life to climate-related shocks and inadequate safety nets. Migration across borders from Somalia into Garissa highlights the regional aspect of the crisis, as environmental challenges transcend political boundaries. Continuous failure of rainfall has weakened coping strategies, resulting in greater impact on poorer households, as livestock deaths destroy income and food security. The pressure on local communities increases the likelihood of conflicts over resources, disease outbreaks, and malnutrition. Without an official national disaster declaration, the response remains disjointed. Immediate humanitarian assistance needs to be combined with long-term efforts focused on building climate resilience, improving water infrastructure, and supporting sustainable pastoral systems.