- Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Lamu, Mandera and Marsabit are staring at severe drought.
- Others are Samburu, Tana River, Turkana and Wajir.
Thirteen counties are at risk of severe drought.
Government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna said Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kitui, Kwale, Lamu, Mandera and Marsabit are staring at severe drought.
Others are Samburu, Tana River, Turkana and Wajir.
Oguna said seven counties are at moderate risk of drought.
These are Kajiado, Laikipia, Makueni, Meru, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi and West Pokot.
Those identified as low risk include Embu, Narok and Nyeri.
“Several interventions have been rolled out by the government which include hunger safety net cash transfer and Inua Jamii programmes, (both of which have been ongoing) and food distribution,” Oguna said.
He said the government has availed Sh2.4 billion for food intervention activities for October and November.
“This amount has been boosted by a further Sh1.5 billion that the President directed during the Mashujaa Day speech, to be set aside for livestock uptake.”
Oguna said the distribution of food is ongoing.
He said Kilifi has received 4,000 bags of 50kgs of maize, 9,000 bags of 50kgs of rice and 4,500 bags of 50kgs of beans.
Kilifi has also received vegetable oils and fortified health food.
Kwale has received 2,000 bags of 50kgs of maize, 2,000 bags of 50kgs of rice and 1,200 50kgs of beans among other foodstuff.
Tana River has received 1,500 bags of 50kgs of maize, 1,500 bags of 50kgs of rice and 600 bags of 50kgs of beans among other foodstuff.
Lamu has received 1,000 bags of 50kgs of maize, 600 bags of 50kgs of rice and 400 bags of 50kgs of beans.
Turkana has received 7,000 50kgs of maize, 3,500 bags of 50kgs of rice and 3,500 bags of 50kgs of beans among other foodstuff.
Samburu has received 2,100 bags of 50kgs of maize, 1,500 bags of 50kgs of rice and 900 bags of 50kgs of beans among other foodstuff.
Baringo has received 6,000 bags of 50kgs of maize, 3,000 bags of 50kgs of rice and 3,000 bags of 50kgs of beans among other foodstuff.
Garissa has benefitted from 3,500 bags of 50kg of maize, 7,000 bags of 50kg of rice and 3,500 bags of 50kgs of beans among other foodstuff.
Wajir has benefitted from 4,000 bags of 50kgs of maize, 8,000 bags of 50kgs of rice and 4,000 bags of 50kgs of beans.
Mandera has also benefitted from 3,500 bags of 50kgs of maize, 7,000 bags of 50kgs of rice and 3,500 bags of beans.
Marsabit has also benefitted from 3,500 bags of 50kgs of maize, 7,000 bags of 50kgs of rice and 2,800 bags of beans.
In total, 47,600 bags of 50kgs of maize, 64,100 bags of 50kgs of rice and 37,400 bags of 50kgs of beans have been distributed to those affected by the ongoing drought.
Oguna said arrangements for the distribution of food to the rest of the affected areas are ongoing and distribution will start soon.
“The government will continue with efforts to mitigate the current drought situation, and assures Kenyans that no amount of effort shall be spared to provide the necessary intervention to address the drought situation in the country.”
-Edited by SKanyara