In a bid to support areas affected by harsh climatic conditions, the cabinet has approved an additional Sh4 billion for the country’s drought alleviation program.
The cabinet said adding funds will assist in cushioning vulnerable households and children across the nation.
“The Cabinet also received a status report on the ongoing drought as well as the support being rendered to vulnerable households and schoolgoing children through the school feeding program,” read a despatch from the cabinet.
“In that regard, Cabinet approved the appropriation of a further Sh4 billion to the nation’s drought alleviation programme,” it read further.
This was arrived at in a meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Tuesday.
On the same day, the United States announced a donation of Sh16 billion in support of Kenya's drought relief efforts.
The funds would complement the already existing donations by humanitarian organs saying the move would help to address the effects of climate change as experienced in many parts of the nation and the continent at large.
The Kenya Red Cross says close to 400,000 people are in dire need of relief food.
The deteriorating drought situation has continued to severely impact the food security and livelihoods of vulnerable households.
The National Drought Management Authority in its January 2023 bulletin paints a worrying picture in 23 counties that have been classified as either in the alarm or alert phase of the drought.
Counties on the alarm phase include Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo, Kitui, Kajiado.
13 counties Garissa, Lamu, Narok, Tana River, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Taita Taveta, West Pokot, Nyeri and Kwale are in the alert drought phase.
