- Gachagua revealed this during an event to mark the 45th Lions Day in Nairobi.
- He said the country is spending over USD 3 million in three months for water and feeds to sustain the wildlife alone.
Image: DPCS
The country has lost more than 1,180 wild animals in the last two months with elephants accounting for 262, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has disclosed.
This, Gachagua said, was due to the ravaging drought situation being experienced in the country.
To avert more losses, the DP, however, stated that through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) it has put in place necessary measures which include supplying water and other feeds.
"We are spending over USD 3 million in three months for water and feeds to sustain the wildlife alone," he held.
Statistics released by KWS and other organisations last November indicated that 512 wildebeests, 381 common zebras, 205 elephants, 51 buffalos, 49 Grevy’s zebras and 12 giraffes had been lost in the past nine months.
Elephants are said to drink 240 litres (63.40 gallons) of water per day.
Speaking during an event to mark the 45th Lions Day at the UN headquarters in Nairobi Thursday, Gachagua expressed fears that with the situation persisting more animals were likely to be lost hence the need for concerted efforts.
He noted that wildlife was the world's heritage and one of the main foreign exchange earners to the country and if not protected it might drive the world’s heritage to oblivion.
The Kenya Kwanza administration, he observed, was on course to addressing the effects of climate change through planting 15 billion trees under the jaza miti initiative.
"This will increase the national tree cover from 12.13 per cent to 30 per cent in the next 10 years," he remarked.
He continued, "Each tree by a Lion will be a Great Green Bullet towards a sustainable tomorrow for all."
Through the support of the UN family and other national and international non-state actors, Gachagua stated they have received more than Sh47.8 billion towards alleviating the drought situation.
Another Sh57.36 billion for short-term and midterm programmes, he added, is required to be sustained until October 2023.
Present were Resident UN Coordinator Stephen Jackson, International Lions Club Foundation President Brian Sheehan and former President Chairperson Douglas Alexander.
Gachagua was representing President William Ruto during the event.