People facing starvation in Tana River County is set to increase from the current 158,647 to about 173,769 in the coming three months if the expected long rains in April and May/2023 fail.

This is according to the projection by the Tana River County Steering Group.

Speaking during a County Steering Group meeting National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) The Group’s Coordinator Mr Abdi Musa said the County drought position is at the alert stage and the situation is heading to the alarm stage.

Mr Musa said the County is experiencing a shortage of water and pasture and high influx of livestock from neighbouring Counties of Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Marsabit contributing to overgrazing.

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Additionally, he said that the malnourished status of children under five years old is at 25.3% resulting in alarm conditions hence, an an urgent need for intervention in terms of medical attention.

World Food Program Policy Officer Mr Philip Looniyo said the Organisation has been carrying out a cash transfer program to 1,362 households of needy people for six months as an intervention whereby one household gets cash money of Kes 6,500 per month from August 2022.