Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared the ongoing drought affecting the north of the country a national disaster. The President had met leaders from the drought-hit northern Kenya at State House Nairobi on Wednesday. “The President has instructed the National Treasury and the Ministry of Interior to spearhead government efforts to assist affected households including water and relief food distribution as well as livestock update,” Kanze Dena Mararo, the President’s spokesperson, said in a statement.

The President has also instructed The National Treasury and the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to spearhead Government efforts to assist affected households including water and relief food distribution as well as livestock uptake.

Among 85 leaders from the arid and semi-arid lands who met with Mr. Kenyatta were five governors, Cabinet Secretaries, chief administrative secretaries, principal secretaries, MPs and senators. The decision follows Wednesday's meeting between the Head of State and 85 leaders from Kenya's Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL) led by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani.

Last month the report by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) outlined an emergency action plan to mitigate the situation. 

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