At least 2.7 million Kenyans are facing high levels of food insecurity, about 883,300 children are acutely malnourished and 116,800 pregnant/breastfeeding are malnourished, says IPC Acute Food Insecurity and Acute Malnutrition Analysis.

The IPC Acute Food Insecurity and Acute Malnutrition Analysis of July 2026 to January  2027, published on September 14, 2026, stated that “2.7 million people, 16% of the population analysed, facing high levels of acute food insecurity and needs urgent action.”

The report highlighted the impact of food insecurity on vulnerable children, pregnant and breastfeeding Kenyans. 

It stated, “883,300 cases of children aged 6-59 months acutely malnourished and are in need of treatment. 116,800 pregnant or breastfeeding women acutely malnourished.”

According to the report, food insecurity outcomes are projected to improve through January 2027 due to the predicted enhanced rainfall between the October-December short-rains production season.

Approximately 2.1 million people are likely to experience high levels of acute food insecurity between November 2026 and January 2027.

The report identified crop failure, poor rainfall, high food prices, conflict and insecurity among key drivers for acute food insecurity in Kenya.

It added, “The deterioration in food security outcomes reflects cumulative impacts of poor rainfall distribution, below-average livelihood recovery, persistent household vulnerabilities and insufficient Humanitarian Food Security Assistance (HFSA).”