Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged the Kenyan government to declare the severe drought in North Eastern Kenya a national disaster, highlighting critical shortages of food, water, and medical care for residents.

• Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), criticized regional leaders for neglecting vulnerable communities and failing to protect lives.
• He emphasized the dire situation, noting that even "camels, animals that have evolved over time to endure some of the harshest environments on planet earth, are dying from thirst and hunger."
• Gachagua appealed to the national government and the international community to mobilize immediate humanitarian assistance to the affected region.