USAID comes to the aid of 2,700 starving families in West Pokot

Over 2,700 vulnerable families from West Pokot county have benefited from a cash transfer to cushion them from effects of drought and crop failure.

The USAID-funded project will assist 1,750 households from Pokot North and 973 households from Pokot Central.

It is being implemented by the Kenya Red Cross, which  has distributed over Sh 41 million to vulnerable families hit by drought in 10 counties in the country.

These are regions which suffered crop failure early in the year due to prolonged drought.

The families received the cash via their phones from KRC to enable them buy food after drought hit the region.

Each of the families received Sh5,067 to sustain them after they experienced total crop failure.

Speaking at Kodich on Saturday during the official cash transfer to the beneficiaries, Red Cross deputy secretary-general Annette Msabeni said that in total, 12 counties in the country had been affected by drought.

Msabeni said that they know many families are affected and they are working closely to ensure that more people benefit from the funds.

She said the programme seeks to support needy people who are not receiving any cash transfers from other partners.

“We known many counties are affected with drought, and as an organisation, we are committed to help more people," she said.

West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo said that the county lacked rains for over seven months and this had greatly affected residents.

“The rains stopped immediately after residents had planted their crops,” he said.

Lonyangapuo asked beneficiaries to use the funds wisely.

Peter Lodoki, a physically challenged beneficiary, said that the funds will enable his family get food for the coming days.

“There is nowhere I get income. I depend on my farm to feed my family but due to crop failure I am unable to feed my family,” he said.

He said there are many families that deserve help and asked the organisation to extend the programme.