About 3,000 families in Kilifi and Kwale counties have received seeds from the Kenya Red Cross Society in readiness for the anticipated El Niño rains.
The move is to help them take advantage of the rains to plant crops instead of focusing on the negative side of the disaster.
Already 1,500 families received the seeds in Garashi, Magarini subcounty, in Kilifi county in a ceremony presided over by the Kilifi Deputy Governor Flora Chibule.
The county also offered additional seeds to the residents in the area and provided three tractors which would be stationed there to prepare farms for the families.
Kenya Red Cross Red Cross Society Coast regional manager Hassan Musa said they have also conducted training for the residents in Kilifi, Lamu Tana River and Taita Taveta on first aid and rescue operations so as to get ready in case the disaster happens.
Speaking during the handing over of the seeds in Garashi, Musa said they were targeting farmers in the area.
“Kenya Red Cross Society in partnership with the county government of Kilifi have offered seeds to 1,500 households, which is nine tonnes. This is one of the many strategies of El Niño preparedness,” he said.
The regional manager said the project is being implemented in two counties of Kilifi and Kwale. Each of the county will get seeds for 1,500 households.
He said the El Niño rains are expected any time, so they were preparing to see residents plant crops during the rains.
Musa said they conducted disaster preparedness trainings in Kilifi, Kwale and Lamu and were now heading to Taita Taveta for similar trainings to enlighten the community on the effects of El Niño and how they can be safe in case of flooding.
He said they have trained youths in oceans and river banks swimming techniques so as to be able to conduct rescue missions when disaster happens.
Currently, he said they have materials for handling 1,000 people in case flooding occurs and will be dispatching them to the respective counties in the Coast region.
“We emphasise to the community to take the early precautions seriously and not wait until last minute where lives could be lost,” he said.
The Kenya Red Cross board chairman Majid Swaleh in charge of Kilifi said their aim is to help locals produce more food by taking advantage of the Majid Swaleh rains.
He said the county government should partner with the KRCS to harvest the rainwater for storage so as to be used later.
“We want the county to challenge us by working in partnership with us, there are projects we can work in partnership especially on water to bring money to the table and we shall look for donors to add more in case you put Sh50 million. We will add an extra Sh100 million to implement the project,” he said.
On her part, the Deputy Governor said they are prepared to see how they can deal with the El Niño disaster, adding the seeds are being given to help the farmers plant more so as to ensure the residents are food secure.
“Red Cross has given seeds the county too has given seeds and provided tractors it's upon you locals to make good use of them so as to get food,” she said.
Garashi MCA Fondo Kalama called on the county government to fund community irrigation projects so as to boost food production in the area.
Residents interviewed thanked the Kenya Red Cross and the county government for supporting them with seeds as they will plant them to boost food production.
