National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) is a State Corporation established by the NDMA Act, 2016. The Act mandates the Authority to exercise overall coordination over all matters relating to drought risk management and to establish mechanisms, either on its own or with stakeholders, that will end drought emergencies in Kenya.
NDMA has operational offices in 23 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties, which cover over 80% of Kenya’s landmass. The Authority also has satellite offices with limited functions in Ijara, Mwingi and Moyale, where distances from the county offices are long. There are plans to expand to more drought prone counties over the next few years.
Websites:
a)
b) https://knowledgeweb.ndma.go.ke/
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) is a public body established by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) Act, 2016. It previously operated under the State Corporations Act (Cap 446) of the Laws of Kenya by Legal Notice Number 171 of November 24, 2011. The Act gives the NDMA the mandate to exercise overall coordination over all matters relating to drought risk management and to establish mechanisms, either on its own or with stakeholders, that will end drought emergencies in Kenya.
NDMA Departments
Policy Documents
Vision 2030 Sector Plan for Drought Risk Management and EDE – 2013-17
1 file(s) 1.54 MB
Vision 2030 Development strategy for ASALs
1 file(s) 2.87 MB
Vision 2030 Abridged version
1 file(s) 3.32 MB
Strategic Plan 2018-2022
1 file(s) 6.98 MB
Sessional Paper on National Policy for Development of ASALs
1. TECHNICAL SERVICES
The Technical Services Department is composed of four (4) divisions namely:-
a) Drought Information
- Developing and maintaining drought information systems.
- Coordinating national and county food security assessments.
- Processing drought early warning information for use by stakeholders.
b) Drought Resilience
- Coordinate of drought risk reduction and building of long-term resilience to drought.
- Promote the capacity building of community planning units in participatory disaster risk assessments.
- Facilitate formulation, implementation, M&E of strategic risk reduction programmes, projects, and initiatives.
c) Drought Contingency Planning and response
- Develop strategies and oversee coordination and implementation of drought response programmes and projects based on drought management cycle and contingency planning.
- Consolidation of county plans into national drought contingency plans.
- Establishment and maintenance of a national drought response capacity database.
d) Resource Mobilization and Advocacy
- Mobilise resources for the Authority through the engagement of collaborating Development Partners and organised community groups.
- Build and sustain effective partnerships both within and without Government and identify Development Partners with interest to support the Authority.
- Develop advocacy programmes that engage local communities in key decisions which ensure their active participation in drought management at their level.
2. SUPPORT SERVICES
This department has five (5) divisions namely:
a)Finance and Accounts
b) Human Resource and Administration
c) Information and Communication Technology
d) Supply Chain
e) Media and Public Relations
3. POLICY, PLANNING AND RESEARCH
a) Develop and review of the national strategy on drought management.
b) Convene joint planning and prioritisation by stakeholders through joint fora Providing framework for coordinating financing of public sector role in national response.
c) Initiate and participate in organisational performance reviews and business process improvement programmes.
d) Coordinate research in the field of drought management.
4. INTERNAL AUDIT
The Internal Audit Department supports the Authority attain best practices and standards of governance and control for enhanced transparency and accountability in the management and utilisation of public resources.
This Department provides value adding internal auditing services that promote the effectiveness of the risk management, control and governance processes in the Authority.
It’s role is to assist the NDMA Board and Management in meeting their objectives and discharge their responsibilities by providing an appraisal of the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls, risk management and corporate governance processes set up by management.
01. Early warning systems
NDMA has put in place a robust early warning system that provides timely information on impending droughts.
02. Drought contingency planning
NDMA has developed and implemented drought contingency plans that guide the response to drought emergencies.
This series of short-term, project-based interventions were being carried out at a time when drought periods were becoming increasingly frequent and intense, directly affecting the household food security and livelihoods of more than ten million people. The government therefore recognised the need to strengthen the sustainability and quality of drought management in Kenya by establishing the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).
The NDMA provides a platform for long-term planning and action, as well as a mechanism for solid coordination across Government and with all other stakeholders. The Authority has established offices in 23 ASAL counties considered vulnerable to drought.
03. Risk reduction measures
NDMA promotes and supports the implementation of risk reduction measures such as water harvesting, reforestation, and soil conservation. These measures enhance the resilience of communities and ecosystems to drought.
04. Coordination and collaboration
NDMA coordinates with various stakeholders such as government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and communities to implement drought management interventions.
How NDMA offer Solutions
The history of Kenya’s work on drought management goes back to 1985, with the design of a drought contingency planning system in Turkana. In the early 1990s this system was extended to other arid districts with the support of the Netherlands government. It was then expanded further by the Emergency Drought Recovery Project (from 1992) and its successor, the ALRMP, both of them supported by the World Bank. By end of Phase II of the ALRMP, the drought management system was covering 28 arid and semi-arid districts (now 23 counties).
DROUGHT CONTINGENCY PLANNING AND RESPONSE
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) in Kenya defines drought contingency planning and response as a systematic process of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from droughts.
This process involves identifying potential drought risks, assessing the impact of drought on various sectors, and developing appropriate measures to mitigate the impact of drought on vulnerable populations.
Drought contingency planning also involves the development of early warning systems and contingency plans to guide the response to drought when it occurs.
The response to drought may involve various interventions, such as the provision of water and food relief, the implementation of livestock off-take programs, and the promotion of alternative livelihood strategies.
The ultimate goal of drought contingency planning and response is to reduce the impact of drought on vulnerable populations and enhance their resilience to drought and other climate-related risks.
NDMA is mandated with ;
By focusing on drought contingency planning and response, the NDMA plays a critical role in addressing food insecurity and reducing the impact of drought on vulnerable populations in Kenya.
Specific interventions are necessary in response to the early warning information provided at different stages of the drought cycle. The actions, in combination with preparations made by communities, can significantly reduce drought impacts and safeguard the gains of drought resilience. The Authority;
Mainstreams drought risk reduction and climate adaptation into planning
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) in Kenya operationalizes the Drought Contingency Fund within the proposed National Drought Contingency Fund.
The Drought Contingency Fund is a mechanism for financing drought risk management interventions, including early warning systems, preparedness measures, and emergency response activities. The NDMA is responsible for the management and administration of the fund, which is financed through various sources, including government allocations, donor funding, and contributions from other stakeholders.
The NDMA ensures that the fund is used in accordance with the approved guidelines and is transparently managed and reported on. The fund is used to support various interventions, such as the provision of water and food relief, the implementation of livestock off-take programs, and the promotion of alternative livelihood strategies.
By operationalizing the Drought Contingency Fund, the NDMA plays a critical role in enhancing preparedness and reducing the impact of drought on vulnerable populations in Kenya.
Facilitates multi-stakeholder contingency planning in each county
Provides contingency finance to counties against their plans
Provides guidance and standards for all drought practitioners in Kenya
Kenya Drought Risk Management KnowledgeWeb
