Pastoralists seize on rain to Plant crops

Late last year, I embarked on a 6-hour road journey from Wajir County to Tabaka, a sub-county in the west of Mandera County. The gathering clouds hinted at rain, but the devastating effects of Kenya's longest and most severe drought were still evident.

Along the way, we encountered camel herders migrating in search of greener pastures. It was heartening to see life returning to the livestock, which had been emaciated just a few months earlier. Our journey was marked by sights of abandoned homes and animal skeletons, stark reminders of the drought's severity on the pastoralist community.

Despite the lack of proper infrastructure, the landscape's beauty was undeniable. Upon arriving at our hotel, we noticed a group of elders sitting together, enjoying roasted maize. Curious about how maize could be available amid such drought conditions, I asked the receptionist, "Haiyee! Hapa na hii ukame, mahindi munatoa wapi?" (Where do you get maize in this drought?)

He laughed and explained that some community members had taken advantage of recent rains to plant maize and other crops, and the elders were eating from the first harvest

The unprecedented drought in the north, one of the worst ever witnessed in the region, had drastic impacts on the pastoralist communities.

Over 2.5 million heads of cattle were lost, decimating incomes and pushing communities to gradually shift towards small-scale farming to ensure food security.

In my assignments across the North, I have documented the impact of the drought and the communities' mitigation strategies. My work as a photojournalist also highlights the crucial roles development partners play in providing humanitarian assistance to drought-affected communities in Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Turkana Counties.

This Photo Essay was published in the Star Newspaper on May 28,2024.