Kenya declares drought national disaster

Nairobi, Sep 9 Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has the ongoing declared drought, which is ravaging several parts of the country, a national disaster.

Kenyatta on Wednesday directed relevant agencies to spearhead government efforts to assist affected households, including water and relief food distribution, reports Xinhua news agency.

"The decision follows today's meeting between the Head of State and 85 leaders from Kenya's Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL)," the presidency said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

It said more details of the government's comprehensive drought mitigation measures will be released in due course.

Relief agencies say more than 2.1 million people in the ASAL of Kenya are severely food insecure, following two consecutive poor rainy seasons that have hampered crop production.