Kenya's President declares national drought a disaster 

Kenya's President, Uhuru Kenyatta has declared the drought which has affected as much as half the country, a national disaster.  

He has appealed for international aid and says the government would increase food handouts to the most needy communities.  

Kenya's Red Cross has indicated that 2.7 million people face starvation if more help is not provided.  

Other countries in the region have also been hit by the drought, blamed on last year's El Nino weather phenomenon.

In Somalia, nearly half the population is suffering from food shortages and the UN says there is a risk of famine in several parts of the country.

GBC