The Pastoralists Parliamentary Group has called for faster release of the equalization fund, to help Northern Kenya mitigate the effects of drought and insecurity.
Members of the group include Garissa Township MP Duale, who is the patron, Samburu North MP Alois Lentoimanga- Chairperson and Isiolo county MP Rehema Jaldesa, the PPG's Secretary General.
In a statement, the PPG said they want the national government to help pastoralists and people of Northern Kenya.
“The national government has a constitutional role to deliver timely service to its citizens; that includes the pastoralists of Northern Kenya and should do it immediately to avert the looming crisis instead of promoting political agenda that has no value addition to well-being of the pastoralists people.”
“The Government should not divert attention from the ravaging Drought, Insecurity and Marginalization facing our people,” the PPG said.
The parliamentary group said despite voicing a concern on the state of Northern Kenya, no help has come from the government to address the drought challenges and insecurity crisis.
Their statement came shortly after a section of leaders from Northeastern Kenya and other ASAL areas led by CS Ukur Yatani announced the formation of a new movement to champion the region’s political interests.
The PPG urged the Treasury CS to work for the people instead of playing politics.
“Our brother Ukur as the Minister In charge of Finance must deliver to his people and not play politics,” they said.
The movement called Upya Movement according the CS which will be grassroots-oriented, will salvage the region from the political menu and propel it to the negotiating table where political and development matters are negotiated.
“We have agreed that today, we are going to take ourselves seriously for the benefit of our people, speak in one voice and ensure that we are not left out in the ongoing discussions,” Yatani said.
