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Machakos County has been identified as a food-insecure region following poor rainfall over consecutive seasons, according to the latest report by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).
A Rapid Food and Nutrition Security Assessment conducted in January 2026 across all nine subcounties revealed that poorly distributed rains during the October–December 2025 period caused reduced crop yields, early depletion of household food stocks, declining livestock productivity, and limited water availability. The findings underscore the need for urgent food interventions.
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NDMA Coordinator Alice Munyao, speaking at the Machakos County Steering Group meeting, explained that the assessment aimed to evaluate the prevailing food and nutrition security situation, identify vulnerable populations, and recommend timely multi-sectoral interventions spanning agriculture, livestock, water, health, nutrition, education, markets, and related areas.
Although Machakos has not been classified among Kenya’s worst-hit drought counties, Munyao noted that many households are surviving on one to two meals per day and relying heavily on markets amid rising food prices. Maize, beans, and cowpea yields are estimated at 40–60% below the long-term average.
“Approximately 12–15% of the county’s population will require humanitarian food assistance between January and March 2026. The most affected areas include Yatta, Mwala, lower Kathiani, lower Kangundo, Matungulu (Yatta plateau), and Athi River,” Munyao stated.
NDMA Drought Information Officer Justus Ikaal said poor short rains led to exhausted household food stocks, forcing families to purchase food from markets earlier than usual. He warned that if below-average rainfall and high temperatures persist, food insecurity and malnutrition are likely to worsen.
The assessment highlighted severe crop losses in marginal mixed farming zones, with yield reductions exceeding 69%, and limited pasture availability in mixed and pastoralist areas, where livestock contributes significantly to both food and income. Human-wildlife conflicts in Masinga and Matungulu have further strained livestock productivity.
County Nutrition Coordinator Mary Makau reported a rise in cases of underweight children and Moderate Acute Malnutrition since October 2025, linked to reduced food availability, poor dietary diversity, and nutritional insecurity.
Children under five and pregnant and lactating women remain particularly vulnerable, with low meal frequency and rising malnutrition rates contributing to a broader health crisis, including increased malaria and typhoid cases.
In response, NDMA recommended urgent multi-sectoral interventions, including:
- Scaling up food and cash assistance
- Strengthening nutrition and WASH services
- Supporting climate-smart livelihoods and school readiness
- Enhancing early warning systems and disease surveillance
- Providing subsidised fertiliser and promoting climate-smart agriculture
- Improving community water access through desilting dams and equipping boreholes
Local leaders, including Youth and Sports Executive Rita Ndunge and Roads and Urban Housing Executive Anastacia Munyaka, urged stakeholders to implement tailored aid and targeted feeding programmes to support the county’s most vulnerable households.
The report highlights the urgent need for coordinated action to prevent further deterioration of food security and protect communities from the ongoing drought crisis.
