Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya has urged the Ministry of Agriculture to develop targeted policy programmes to address food insecurity.
In a Notice of Motion, Gataya expressed concern that the crisis is now spreading to areas that were previously presumed food sufficient.
He regretted that some areas in Mt Kenya are now relying on government emergency food supplies.
"This is as a result of inadequate rainfall over the last two years, consistent decline in the number of farmers and lands committed to farming and the Russia-Ukraine war has led to an increased cost of fertiliser and fuel products," he said.
He urged the national government to coordinate with counties to establish strategic grain reserves across the country with priority to drought-stricken areas.
"Livestock feeding programmes should be developed in Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) regions to provide water and feeds to the livestock farmers,"Gataya said.
The senator said the ministry should coordinate with the National Drought Management Authority, to do quarterly reports to the Senate on the drought situation in the country.
Additionally, he urged for a subsidy in agricultural production. He stated that they should establish abattoirs in ASAL counties
About 1.5 million livestocks deaths have been reported in ASAL counties so far.
"We may miss the normal cycle of rain expected in October, November and December, 2022 and this could be the worst drought we have experienced in 40 years,"Gataya said.
