Kenya to declare national emergency over drought

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenya said on Friday it would declare a national emergency over a drought that has left 10 million people needing food aid in East Africa's richest nation.

The arid, northern areas are the worst hit in Kenya by a drought that is causing hardship around the East and Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia and Ethiopia.

"The Government is to declare a National Emergency in regard to the prevailing drought and famine situation in the country that has rendered nearly ten million Kenyans food insecure," said a statement from President Mwai Kibaki's office.

The statement said a food security committee chaired by Kibaki had also resolved to begin importing an additional 5 million bags of maize to cater for a shortfall in Kenya caused largely by the crisis of early 2007, when an outbreak of violence over a disputed election killed 1,300 people and drove 300,000 from their homes.

"President Kibaki told the food security committee that the entire Government must focus on the urgency of providing food to all Kenyans after the failed rains in the last two seasons and reduced production due to last year's post-election challenges."

Measures would include providing water, famine packages, subsidised fertilisers and seeds, hay for animals, and tractors for farmers, the statement said.

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