The monetary value of livestock lost in Mandera is over Sh11 billion, Governor Mohamed Khalif has said.
In a speech read on his behalf by deputy governor Ali Mahamud, Khalif said the county has lost over 365,000 cattle, 30,000 donkeys, 500,000 goats and 160,000 camels.
“Our region has borne the brunt of drought effects. Our economy has been devastated. The monetary value is equivalent to our annual allocation from the national government equitable share,” he said on Thursday, during the Msahujaa day fete.
The governor said there is a need to take urgent measures, including water supply to schools and complementing the food supply to the 41 boarding schools and the 312 ECDE centres in the county.
Many schools are experiencing financial stress and cannot provide food for their students.
The hunger crisis could lead to malnutrition which will have a long impact on the education sector.
Last month, President William Ruto flagged-off relief food to the most affected counties, including Mandera.
The governor acknowledged the government's efforts to assist hunger-stricken residents and supply animal feeds to livestock.
He, however, said more needs to be done.
“Due to the severity of the situation, many families still require support. Therefore, we will continue engaging all partners and appeal to all people of goodwill for support,” he said.
The governor said in addition to seeking support from development partners and the national government, his administration has undertaken several steps to deal with the drought emergency crisis.
He said in the next two weeks they are planning to procure and distribute food relief for 60,000 families to help them mitigate hunger.
Khalif said that the county has reactivated the County Steering Group for better coordination.
The governor said he had also instructed the department of the devolved unit to identify vulnerable households across the county and ensure those in need of medical help are taken to the hospital.
“Even as we consider short-term interventions, we should not forget that we are in a protracted crisis caused by climate change. The unpredictable weather pattern has made rain-fed agriculture and pastoralism, untenable,” he said.
“Therefore, we must proactively think and invest in a more scientific way of cushioning our people. While we cannot deal with climate change and its impacts on our own, we can adapt and mitigate it.”
Early this month, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua convened a meeting that was attended by all governors from Asal counties.
Several short-term and long-term interventions were discussed and agreed upon.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
