The government has assured that it would marshal sufficient resources to mitigate the effects of drought being experienced in the country.
Government Spokesperson Col (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna said the government is committed to ensuring that there is enough food and water for everyone.
Speaking at Mogotio deputy county commissioner’s office in Baringo on Tuesday during a food distribution exercise, Oguna said distribution of food to 2.1 million food distressed Kenyans in 23 affected counties has already begun and would continue until normalcy returns.
He added that the government has already spent Sh1.2 billion in the month of October to procure and distribute food to all the affected counties.
The government has also mobilised an equal amount for the month of November to distribute food depending on the severity of drought per county.
“I want to emphasise that there is no lack of food but there is shortage due to inadequate rainfall in the last two seasons which has led to low harvests, inadequate pasture for livestock as well as water shortage for both domestic and livestock use,” Oguna said.
Foodstuff being distributed to the 23 affected counties include 47,600 bags of maize, 64,100 bags of rice, 37,400 bags of beans, 19,500 cartons of vegetable oil and 17,300 cartons of fortified health foods.
Baringo which is facing a risk of severe drought has been allocated 6,000 bags of maize, 3,000 bags of rice, 3,000 bags of beans 1,200 cartons of both vegetable oil and fortified health foods.
Other counties in this category include Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana and Wajir.
Counties facing moderate risk of drought include Kajiado, Laikipia, Makueni, Meru, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi and West Pokot while those with low risk are Embu, Narok and Nyeri.
Other short-term interventions include water trucking in conjunction with county governments, hunger safety net where over 100,000 households in Turkana, Mandera, Wajir and Marsabit receive Sh5,400 every two months as well as the Inua Jamii cash transfer programme for the elderly, orphans and PWDs.
On the long-term interventions, Oguna said the government is working to improve peace and security situation, infrastructure development, sustainable livelihood, drought risk management as well as human capital development in health and education which all stand at 40 per cent of implementation.
-Edited by SKanyara
