Drought is the single most damaging natural hazard in Kenya, destroying lives and livelihoods and undermining national development. These impacts are likely to worsen with climate change. However, they could be significantly mitigated if adequate and appropriate measures were taken in advance, particularly those that strengthen people’s capacity to withstand periods of drought.
The Constitution places on the state obligations to protect the vulnerable and progressively realise a portfolio of rights, including the right to be free from hunger. It is with this in mind that the Government has committed itself to ending drought emergencies in Kenya by 2022. This commitment is clearly spelt out in the Second Medium Term Plan (MTP) for the Vision 2030, in which Ending Drought Emergencies (EDE) is recognised as one of the key foundations for national development.
The EDE initiative 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 among those which have benefited least from past investment; drought emergencies will not end until the essential foundations for development (principally security, infrastructure and human capital) are in place. 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.
This Common Programme Framework operationalises EDE commitments through an approach that strengthens collaboration and synergy across sectors, agencies and counties. Its aim is to improve the coherence and efficiency of interventions and thus increase their impact on the lives of vulnerable people. It has been developed with the full participation of the County Governments and our development partners. Its implementation will be steered and supported by the National Drought Management Authority under the Ministry of Devolution and Planning.