President William Ruto is looking to farmers to help solve the problem of food security across the country.
Speaking in Kabarnet on Sunday, Ruto said that he is already making efforts towards helping farmers.
“Farmers have had problems in the past with access to seeds and fertilizer but we are ready to giver seeds and fertilisers to you at affordable prices so that we can end food scarcity,” he said.
He said producing more food is the only way to end the shame of hunger and famine plaguing the country.
So far, at least 23 counties are facing the ravaging effects of hunger.
The President also said the government will be giving out over six million livestock to farmers to aid in food production.
He noted that there was a plan to have 100 dams built in the region, through private partnerships, as agreed in the charter they signed.
“We have 1000 dams in that project we also want to build. Here in Baringo, we had agreed to work on Radat dam, Amaya dam and even the infamous Kimwarer and Aror dams"
"We shall build them to help in irrigation, for livestock and for general use,” Ruto said.
Many parts of the country are currently experiencing drought due to the effects of Climate Change.
Ruto visit to Baringo County comes after the United Nation released a report indicating that the number of Kenyans facing hunger is projected to reach 4.4 million between October and December 2022.
The UN outlook for October 2022 to January 2023 indicated that 1.2 million people will be in the emergency phase and will need urgent support.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) also said currently, 4.35 million Kenyans are in need of food aid.
Just recently, members of the Clergy asked that the government declare the drought situation a National disaster.
In a statement read by Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops chairman and Mombasa Archdiocese Bishop Martin Kivuva, they called for urgent and decisive action from all actors.
“We urge our government, organisations and Kenyans at large to study and think through ways to enhance post-harvest food management"
"This is in view of increasing our food security and providing food banks,” Kivuva said.
