State begins distributing aid to children in flood-prone counties

The government has begun distributing food and other basic items to children in flood-prone counties.

The distribution exercise is being done through the Child Welfare Society of Kenya.

Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Florence Bore on Thursday said the emergency response is aimed at alleviating human suffering amidst the ongoing rains.

Bore spoke when she presided over the distribution of food and basic supplies targeting 24,000 children in 6,000 households at Kipini West in Garsen in Tana River county.

The CS has also appealed to families in flood-prone areas to move to safer grounds to avoid any tragedy.

More than 19 counties in ASAL and non-ASAL areas are said to have been adversely affected by the rains.

"As the rains continue to wreak havoc, our goal is to reach as many vulnerable children as possible who have been affected," Bore said.

The intervention follows an appeal by the government to development partners, counties, and other key agencies to assist residents affected.

The society, Bore said, plays a critical role in providing national emergency response and rescue services for children in the country.

It is mandated to provide care, protection, welfare and adoption of children in the country.

Last week, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the government will distribute food as the country continues to face the devastating impact of heavy rains.

The food which include maize, rice, beans and cooking oil as well as non-food items is aimed to support tens of families affected to reduce their suffering.

He further stated that they have activated multi-agency teams and mobilised technical and financial resources for easier response.

The Emergency Response Committee, he said is coordinating a consolidated approach for efficiency and effective action to prevent duplication of the response as well as ensuring no place or person is left behind.

"We are also supplying safe, clean water and addressing other sanitation concerns in various rescue centres," Gachagua said.

Data on Thursday showed at least five more people drowned in separate incidents in parts of the country which has been linked to ongoing El Nino rains.

This increases to more than 60 the number of people so far killed separately in rain-related incidents, officials said.

The incidents were reported in Thika, Sultan Hamud, Emali, Kibwezi and Kathiani.

Officials warned of more deaths following ongoing heavy rains being experienced in parts of the country.