In the dry plains of Shompole, Kenya, the impact of drought is visible everywhere. Dead cows and goats lie near family homes, a painful sign of the crisis. For pastoralist families who depend on their animals, survival has become increasingly difficult.
For Maria Katanga, a 24-year-old Maasai herder, the last few months have been devastating. Since August, she has lost more than 100 cattle and over 300 goats because there has been no rain. The animals that are still alive are thin and no longer produce milk, leaving families without food or income. Kenya has faced drought many times before. In 2022, a severe drought hit the country. Large numbers of animals died, and many families in the north and northeast were left without food.
This time, however, the problem is spreading to places that usually cope better, such as Kajiado County, near Nairobi. As animals become weaker, their market value drops sharply. Emmanuel Loshipae, Katanga’s 19-year-old stepson, explained that a cow once sold for 60,000 to 70,000 Kenyan shillings is now worth as little as 5,000. Many families are forced to sell their animals cheaply just to buy feed, because there is no grass left to graze.
Local leaders say some herders are traveling far from home, even crossing into Tanzania, searching for water and pasture. Officials warn that repeated droughts are increasing pressure on land and water, which could lead to conflict. Kenya is not the only country experiencing the drought. Somalia has also declared a national drought emergency, and millions of people there are facing severe hunger. Aid agencies say many children are badly malnourished, while cuts in foreign aid have made the situation worse. Kenya has provided cash support to some dry regions, but areas like Kajiado have received little help. Families can only hope for rain as the heat grows stronger.
