Turkana County, Kenya – 19th February 2026: The Kenya Government, in collaboration with development partners, has registered approximately 2,000 families affected by drought to benefit from a cash transfer program aimed at enhancing food security in Turkana County.
The initiative also extended food aid to 10 schools in Suguta and Lokori Kochodin, ensuring that children in affected areas receive much-needed nutritional support.
Patrick Losike, County Executive for Public Service, Administration, and Disaster Management, confirmed that the Kenya Red Cross is one of the key partners supporting the county’s drought response efforts.
Rukia Abubakar, Regional Coordinator for Kenya Red Cross Turkana, explained that the intervention was coordinated through the County Steering Group to avoid duplication of efforts:
“We were mapped to cover Suguta and Lokori Kochodin, while other partners focused on other hotspots,” she said, emphasizing the importance of organized and efficient relief distribution.
The exercise included assessments to identify future needs, with Abubakar noting that the situation remains critical, affecting both people and livestock.
Local authorities, including Area Chief Ekiru Alokas, praised the County Government and Kenya Red Cross for their collaboration with communities, highlighting that vulnerable groups were prioritized during the enrollment process.
While local leaders welcomed the initiative, they urged the government and partners to increase the number of beneficiaries and consider including animal feed to support pastoral livelihoods alongside human food assistance.
This program underscores ongoing government efforts to strengthen social protection measures and enhance resilience among drought-affected households in Turkana, reinforcing the commitment to safeguard livelihoods in arid and semi-arid regions.
