The government has set aside Sh6 billion to deal with the ongoing drought that has affected more than 20 counties, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said, assuring Kenyans that measures are in place to protect both people and livestock.
Speaking on Wednesday during the 14th Development Partners Forum held at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, Kindiki said the funding is already supporting response efforts and called on development partners to strengthen their support as the situation unfolds.
“The government has made arrangements to make sure that we provide enough food to all the affected people and also to save their livestock from demise because of the drought. There should be no panic in the country,” he said.
Kindiki said the drought has hit several parts of the country, with the hardest impact being felt in Arid and Semi-Arid areas, but warned that the effects are now spreading beyond those regions.
He told the forum that the government is committing additional resources every month to sustain the response, especially in food distribution and livestock protection.
“The Government is also committing Sh2 billion every month and is asking for increased assistance from the development partners and other role players to ensure that the drought situation is comprehensively dealt with,” he stated.
The Deputy President added that the government is putting together enough hay, vaccines and water supplies to prevent the loss of livestock, which remains a key source of livelihood for many affected communities.
Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson, Ahmed Abdullahi, also called for urgent action, saying the situation could worsen if interventions are delayed, noting that the drought is no longer limited to ASAL counties.
“While ASAL counties are the most affected. Non-ASAL counties are experiencing spill-over effects through rising food prices, water stress and livelihood disruptions,” he said.
The forum brought together senior government officials and development partners to assess the drought response and coordinate support.
Those present included Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, United Nations Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson, who co-chaired the forum, Germany Ambassador Sebastian Groth, who also co-chaired, members of the CoGo led by Ahmed Abdullahi, ambassadors and representatives of various development agencies.