Kenya declares drought national disaster

Kenya’s President, Uhuru Kenyatta has declared the drought affecting parts of the country a national disaster.

The drought has affected 10 out of 47 counties. At least two million Kenyans are affected.

The President directed the treasury and the Interior Ministry to support the victims.

He announced this after meeting leaders from the affected arid and semi-arid areas in the north of the country, which have received less than 50% of their average rainfall.

The residents of the affected areas, who are mostly pastoralists, are facing hunger and some of their livestock have died.

The government has said it would roll out comprehensive drought mitigation measures.

BBC/Mercy Chukwudiebere