In Kenya's sun-scorched northeast, families are watching their futures vanish like mirages as a relentless drought pushes communities to the brink. Mandera County – bordering Ethiopia and Somalia – hasn’t seen rain since May 2025, leaving children vulnerable to starvation and disease.
Livestock Graveyards & Dusty Playgrounds
Villagers like 60-year-old Bishar Maalim Mohammed now burn animal carcasses to deter hyenas. "I’ve lost all my cows and goats," he says quietly. Nearby, Banissa’s once-bustling water pan now sits bone-dry – its cracked basin a surreal playground for children.
30km Thirst Marches
Herds trek up to 30km daily for rationed water. "In two weeks, this water will be finished," warns resident Aden Hussein. With 2 million people across 23 Kenyan counties facing food shortages, hospitals overflow with malnourished children – some carried from Ethiopia.
Regional Emergency Looms
The Famine Early Warning Network estimates 20-25 million people need aid across Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. As Mandera enters the "alarm" phase before full emergency, Mohammed’s warning echoes: "Our children are the next ones who are going to die."
