Governor Mukhtar seeks help for drought stricken county

Wajir governor Ahmed Mukhtar has appealed for more support from the government to address drought.

Last month, president Uhuru Kenyatta declared drought a national disaster and directed the Treasury to assist the affected communities.

Speaking on Saturday, Mukhtar said drought was getting out of hand with pastoralists losing animals and families facing acute water and food shortage.

Mukhtar was speaking during a joint presser with the PS State Department for Arid and Semi-Arid lands  Micah Powon and UN Resident Coordinator Kenya Stephen Jackson on Saturday.

“Most of the time announcements are made by the government with assurances that people will be assisted. However, the same population waits for the aid that never reaches, as they continue losing their animals and suffering,” he said.

The governor later took the team to witness emergency livestock feed distribution at Eladow, community resilience building at Waberi farm.

They were also taken to lactating mothers at Elnur Health Centre.

He asked the state to reduce bureaucracy and ensure that aid quickly reaches drought-stricken residents. 

Powen said the government with the help of other state and non-state actors are working to cushion the affected families.

“We will continue monitoring the situation on the ground as we remain proactive in assisting our people and their livestock,” Powen said.

Over 80 per cent of the population depends on livestock for their livelihoods and food security.