The Kenya Red Cross has appealed for Sh824, 554, 720 to tackle the drought that has hit the nation.
The National Drought Management Authority has said 1.1 million people are affected and the number could increase if the rains delay.
The government has denied any deaths linked directly to drought.
Kenya Red Cross secretary general Abbas Gullet said the cash will support 300,000 people, translating to 50,000 households in 17 counties from now until September.
Gullet spoke yesterday during a press briefing.
He said the counties in urgent need of humanitarian support include Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera and Lamu.
Others are Tana River, West Pokot, Tharaka Nithi, Nyeri, Laikipia, Kitui, Kilifi, Baringo and Embu.
On March 18, Deputy President William Ruto said the government will spend Sh2 billion to supply food and water to 1.1 million Kenyans affected by drought and food scarcity.
“Our intervention will focus on key areas among them cash transfers, food distribution, water, sanitation and hygiene, health and nutrition as well as livelihood support,” said Gullet.
In 2018, Kenyans through the Kenyans for Kenya Initiative donated Sh1.1 billion which he said Sh700 million was in cash while Sh300 million was in kind.“Sh350 million was spent on food and health & nutrition while the remaining Sh350 million was used to establish middle-longterm interventions.”
Gullet said the cash transfer will support 150, 000 people, and another 150,000 people will benefit from health and nutrition support. Food distribution will go to 60,000 people, 9, 000 for livelihood support and another 120,000 people will benefit from water, sanitation and hygiene interventions.
Edited by Pamela Wanambisi
