Special Programmes Permanent Secretary Andrew Mondoh explained that the items, valued at Sh8.9 million, would be sent to Tana Delta, Tana River and Bura districts/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 14 – The government has now dispatched humanitarian aid worth Sh8.9 million to the survivors of Tana Delta clashes.
In a statement sent to newsrooms on Friday afternoon, the government said 1,900 bags of rice, 750 bags of Soya beans, 150 cartons of soya oil and 150 cartons of corned beef, would be dispatched to the affected regions on Saturday.
Special Programmes Permanent Secretary Andrew Mondoh explained that the items, valued at Sh8.9 million, would be sent to Tana Delta, Tana River and Bura districts.
“Following the eruption of fresh clashes last week, which subsequently led to an increase in the number of those in need of support, the ministry has released additional humanitarian assistance for the victims,” read the statement.
The government had earlier released a consignment of aid worth Sh1.8 million to help those affected by the clashes when they first erupted.
Mondoh added that the items would be distributed by the District Steering Groups to ensure that they reached the required targets.
“Besides the food items, the ministry has also provided 200 kitchen sets, 200 blankets and 600 pieces of soap to the victims through the respective District Commissioners,” he noted.
Several other Non-Governmental Organisations have also joined in to assist those affected.
The Kenya Red Cross Society moved in to assist the survivors with relief aid in form of food and non food items while the Safaricom Foundation donated Sh10 million worth of aid.
At least 112 people have lost their lives and more than 12,000 displaced by the ethno-political clashes that have been ongoing in parts of the Tana Delta for the last four weeks, starting on the night of August 13, 2012.
Safaricom’s Chief Executive Officer Bob Collymore called for a speedy resolution to the crisis which is threatening to annihilate the communities involved in the conflict.
“What is happening in the Tana Delta is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to continue. With next year being an election year, it is my plea that dialogue will prevail and replace the violence that has lamentably taken root,” said Collymore On Wednesday.
The government has at the same time dispatched additional security forces to restore calm in the volatile area.
Over 1,000 newly recruited General Service Unit police men were deployed to the area on Wednesday.
A Judicial commission has also been set up to look into the clashes and will be required to issue its report within one month.
The killings have also saw Livestock and Development Assistant Minister Dhadho Godhana sacked from his ministerial position after he was accused of incitement.
In a statement sent to newsrooms on Wednesday evening, President Mwai Kibaki said Godhana had been relieved of his duties after investigations linked him to the violence in the Tana River Delta.
“Following investigations that have linked Dhadho Godhana with violence that has rocked the Tana River Delta, I have today in consultations with Prime Minister Honourable Raila Odinga relieved Honourable Dhadho Godhana off his duties as Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Livestock Development,” the statement said.
Godhana was on Wednesday detained and charged over the Tana River clashes, hours after The President ordered the prosecution of leaders fanning violence in the troubled region.
He faced two counts of incitement to violence denied the charges and was released on a cash bail of Sh500,000 by Magistrate Lucy Nyambura.
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