Garissa Township MP Aden Duale has expressed concern about the deteriorating drought situation in the Northern part of the country.
The MP has requested a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning regarding the state of the drought management funds.
In his submission to the Chambers on Tuesday, Duale said that the deterioration of food security in the northern part of the country is the attributable dismal performance of the March-May long rains.
He said that when President Uhuru Kenyatta declared drought as the national disaster in September, Treasury released Sh2 billion to the Ministry of Devolution to support to mitigate the situation.
The National Drought Management Authority had estimated that close to two million people are facing acute food insecurity.
“The NDMA projects the situation to worsen further and affect 2.4 million during the October-December short rains season…the deteriorating rain has led to conflict for resources in counties such as Marsabit, and Wajir thereby hampering peace efforts in the region,” Duale said.
He added that the National Assembly apportioned in the budget for the financial year 2021/2022 was Sh8.9 billion for the Climate Smart Agricultural Productivity Project, Sh1.1 billion to enhance drought resilience and sustainable livelihood, and further Sh178 billion towards Ending Drought Emergencies in Kenya.
“Further, there is an appropriation of Sh529.5 million for the Livestock and Crop Insurance scheme which targets compensation 100,000 livestock in ten counties in the financial year.”
The MP wants a joint statement from Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning and Departmental Committee on National Security to provide the report on the funds that were released.
He wants a comprehensive report including tabulation on the total disbursement from July this year to date by the National Treasury to relevant government ministries, agencies, and departments to mobilise food, water, pasture, and other necessities to the drought-affected counties.
The committees should also provide a comprehensive report regarding the number of boreholes, water pumps, and small dumps constructed to address the worsening water situation in the northern part.
His remarks come as the government calls for urgent donor support to help 2.5 million people currently in need of food aid between now and December.
Public Service, Gender and Special Programmes CS Margaret Kobia said the National Treasury is in the process of releasing another Sh1.2 billion for food distribution in the month of November to 23 ASAL Counties affected by drought.
