FOREWORD
Drought has for decades been the single most disastrous natural hazard in Kenya that has destroyed
livelihoods and caused hunger, disease and even death. Of the US$ 12.1 billion of drought-related
damages and losses recorded in 2008-2011, US$ 11.3 billion was attributed to lost income flows
across all sectors of the economy. All this happened despite the fact that drought evolves slowly and
need not become a disaster if adequate and appropriate mitigation and resilience measures are put in
place. The Jubilee Government fully recognises that national development is not possible unless the
threat posed by drought is contained.
It is with this background that the Government has committed itself to ending drought emergencies in
Kenya by the year 2022. This commitment has clearly been spelt out in the Second Medium Term Plan
(MTP 2013-2017) for the Kenya Vision 2030, launched by H.E. Hon. President Uhuru Kenyatta, CGH, on
3rd October 2013. In the Second MTP, Ending Drought Emergencies has been recognized as one of the
key foundations to attaining the 10 per cent GDP growth target envisaged in the Vision 2030.
This Kenya Vision 2030 Sector Plan for Drought Risk Management and Ending Drought Emergencies
has been developed through extensive consultations between state and non-state actors. It reflects two
significant changes in our understanding of drought emergencies in Kenya. The first is that they have
their roots in poverty and vulnerability, and in the fact that Kenya’s drought-prone areas are also among
those which have benefited least from investment in the past. The second is that drought emergencies
are complex challenges which can only be managed by strong and competent institutions, able to draw
on new streams of finance as well as the skills and resources of all actors.
The National Drought Management Authority under my Ministry will lead and coordinate our efforts
towards the target we have set ourselves of ending drought emergencies by 2022. In so doing, we
will also fulfil Kenya’s obligations under the IGAD framework for drought resilience, where all Heads of
State and Government in the region committed themselves to ending drought emergencies in the Horn
of Africa. I welcome all those who share our belief that drought emergencies can end to work with us
towards that noble goal.
Anne Waiguru, O.G.W.
Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Devolution and Planning