First Lady Margaret Kenyatta receives a Sh2 million donation to the Kenya Red Cross from Savannah Cement MD Ronald Ndegwa/PSCU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 21 – First Lady Margaret Kenyatta has received Sh3 million in support of drought mitigation initiatives championed by the Kenya Red Cross.
The funds were donated by Savannah Cement Company which, through its Managing Director Ronald Ndegwa, presented a cheque of Sh2 million while Rotary Club of Muthaiga through its President Agnes Wanjiru Kiraithe presented a cheque of Sh1 million.
Tatu City Company through its Managing Director Nick Langford pledged to drill a borehole in one of the counties perennially affected by drought.
The First Lady thanked the well-wishers, saying their donations would go a long way in complementing government’s drought mitigation programs.
She appealed to more Kenyans of goodwill to turn out in large numbers and support those who have been affected by the current drought.
The First Lady assured the Kenya Red Cross of her support, saying there was need for sustainable measures to ensure availability of food and water for Kenyans living in arid and semi-arid areas.
“I will always support initiatives aimed at uplifting the lives of Kenyans. I believe we can come up with sustainable projects such as the drilling of boreholes to provide water for our people,” said the First Lady.
Savannah Cement Company Managing Director said his company decided to respond to the President’s call for local corporates and individuals to support the government in its drought mitigation programs.
He said the First Lady has been an inspiration to many in her efforts to support needy Kenyans, saying the drought situation called for concerted efforts from all Kenyans.
“Keep on doing the good deeds, we are all touched and humbled by your efforts to help the needy in our society,” said Ndegwa.
On her part, the Muthaiga Rotary Club President said her organisation will continue working hard to support communities in arid and semi-arid counties by initiating projects aimed at providing a lasting solution to the food and water shortage.
She singled out an ongoing drip irrigation project funded by the Muthaiga Rotary Club in Turkana County, saying already local communities are now being trained on farming activities to ensure food security in the area.
The project is designed to help develop an agricultural infrastructure in Turkana County that will provide new sources of food and income.
Kenya Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet commended the First Lady’s commitment to addressing the challenges facing the needy including those in the drought ravaged parts of the country.
He said the Kenya Red Cross is humbled by the First Lady’s acceptance to champion the course of saving Kenyans facing drought.
The Kenya Red Cross Secretary General assured of his organisation’s support to the government’s efforts to mitigate the drought effects.
He called for the scaling up of the cash transfer, saying it would enable the beneficiaries to purchase whatever type of food is available in their locality.
“We should promote the issue of cash transfer. It is cheaper, neat and gives dignity to those who are affected by drought,” said the Kenya Red Cross Secretary General.
