NAIROBI, Kenya, October 22 – The National Treasury has disbursed Sh 2.4 million to aid food intervention in arid and semi-arid counties affected by the ongoing drought which has been declared a national disaster.
The announcement was made a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the Ukuru-Yattani led Ministry to channel another Shs 1.5 billion to support the affected communities through the National Livestock Offtake Programme.
“For food intervention activities, the Government has availed Shs 2.4 billion for October and November. This amount has been boosted by a further Shs 1.5 billion that Kenyatta directed to be set aside for livestock off-stake,” Government spokesperson, Cyrus Oguna said.
Among the interventions put in place by the government, Oguna said, included hunger safety net cash transfer and inua jamii programs.
Currently, the program is ongoing in Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu, Turkana, Samburu, Baringo, Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Isiolo and Kitui counties.
Oguna said the distribution will take place in the next few weeks further assuring that the government had mobilized sufficient food stocks to be distributed to all the affected counties.
“The Government will continue with efforts to mitigate the current drought situation, and assures Kenyans that no amount of effort shall be spared to provide necessary intervention to address the drought situation in the country,” he added.
A month ago, the government flagged off foodstuff including animal feeds to drought-hit areas as part of an Sh2 billion commitment announced by Kenyatta.
The Ministry of Agriculture had, two months ago, presented an Shs670 mn budget to the Treasury which it said would aid to mitigate drought, adverse weather conditions experienced in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions.
As part of the proposed interventions, the ministry says efforts should be directed towards Livestock disease surveillance, control, and treatment, livestock breeds improvement, and increased purchase of livestock supplementary feeds.
