The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) has announced that the upcoming March to May long rains are expected to bring significant relief from a devastating drought that is currently affecting two million Kenyans and threatening widespread hunger. While the forecast offers hope for the country's food basket regions, the driest areas will likely require more than just the long rains to recover.

• Two million Kenyans are facing hunger due to one of the worst droughts in over four decades.
• The Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD) forecasts above-normal rainfall for central and western Kenya, offering cautious hope to farmers and pastoralists.
• The Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), including Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa, are the hardest-hit regions, where even expected rainfall may not be sufficient to reverse the damage.
• Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi confirmed the government has released approximately Ksh6 billion for relief efforts in affected ASAL counties.
• The drought is attributed to a mature La Niña weather event and a negative Indian Ocean Dipole.