Former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has called on the government to urgently declare the worsening drought in North Eastern Kenya a national disaster, warning that residents are facing extreme hunger, lack of water, and insufficient medical care.
In a statement released on Saturday, Gachagua accused regional leaders of neglecting vulnerable communities, failing in their duty to protect lives and livelihoods.
He described the situation as dire, with livestock perishing from hunger and thirst—a sign, he said, of a deepening humanitarian crisis.
“Leadership is not a privilege for personal gain but a responsibility to protect human life and dignity. Judged by this standard, the situation in North Eastern Kenya demands honest conversation, self-reflection, and urgent action,” Gachagua said, urging leaders to prioritize the needs of the people.
Highlighting the plight of orphans, widows, and the sick, he noted that many families are going without food or access to basic healthcare due to what he called greed and poor governance.
“Today, conditions have deteriorated so severely that even camels—animals evolved to endure some of the harshest environments on Earth—are dying from thirst and hunger. If such resilient creatures are perishing, what hope remains for the human population?” he asked.
Gachagua called on the national government to mobilize all available resources to address the crisis and save lives.
He also appealed to the international community and development partners to provide immediate humanitarian aid to affected communities.
“Even as we demand accountability from leaders in North Eastern Kenya for neglecting their people, we call upon the Government to urgently declare this drought a national disaster and mobilize resources to save lives,” Gachagua said.
“We further appeal to the International Community and Development Partners to step in and provide immediate assistance to alleviate the suffering of the affected communities.”
The DCP leader’s plea underscores growing concerns over the humanitarian situation in the region, where prolonged dry spells have left thousands vulnerable to starvation and disease.
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