The government has started a livestock slaughter programme as an intervention for communities affected by drought.
The Kenya Meat Commission signed an agreement with the Kenya Red Cross Society to implement a ground slaughter programme in the 23 ASAL Counties that are most affected by drought.
Public Service and Special Programmes CS Margaret Kobia said the programme entails the purchase and slaughter of more than 76,667 livestock considered weak, for distribution as relief food to over 766, 000 households.
“The Kenya Red Cross Society using its structures and network of community-based volunteers will assist in registration of targeted families, timely payment of farmers and distribution of the relief meat.
"The programme is expected to increase the purchasing power of the households in these communities and reduce resource-based conflict in the affected counties,” she said.
She spoke last week during the launch of the emergency relief cash transfer and while giving an update on the grounds slaughter programme.
Kobia said the government is committed to shifting from food distribution to cash transfer, and that the cash transfer will be disbursed through the Safaricom Mpesa platform to the identified and registered beneficiaries in the 23 ASALs Counties.
The CS said the first cohort of 360,696 households identified for the emergency relief cash transfer programme will each receive Sh3,000, totaling the payroll amount of over Sh1 billion on a monthly basis until the rain situation improves.
“Cash transfers have proven as the most effective way to reach vulnerable persons in times of emergency. Benefits include: receipt of assistance in real-time; value for money as the beneficiary has the choice of purchase; safeguards the dignity of beneficiaries; and stimulates the local economy,” said Kobia.
“I wish to commend Safaricom for waiving the transaction fees for this first cohort and their commitment to ensuring the system will be efficient,” she added.
The identification and registration of the affected persons were spearheaded by County Steering Groups that include the County Commissioners, Relief Committees and the Red Cross Society.
Beneficiaries are households with elderly persons, sick or disabled persons, malnourished children. single parent or child-headed households and those not receiving any other form of assistance from other organisations.
