NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1– President William Ruto has pledged to unlock Sh200 million in coming days to support the Kenya Wildlife Service’s (KWS) efforts to cushion wildlife from diminished pasture and water in a bid to avert human-wildlife conflict.
He made the commitment on Tuesday even as he pledged to mobilize Sh10 billion from development partners to bolster the country’s response to drought-related emergencies.
He stated that due to the urgency of the situation, the government will expedite the donor-led response mechanism.
“Later in the week I will be meeting with other development partners to agree on a budget that will support and make sure that no Kenyan suffers death from this intervention,” President Ruto said.
The Head of State also announced that the government had availed Sh2 billion, including Sh260 million to be allocated to the Red Cross, to aid relief efforts in the country.
Ruto said the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM) had pledged an additional Sh340 million.
Speaking during his installation as the Patron of Kenya Red Cross Society at State House on Tuesday, Ruto said the release of these funds will support the purchase of food in areas that have sufficient food to feed households affected by drought in the country.
“In purchases of food especially in areas where we have sufficient food stock where we have harvests in Western Kenya, Rift valley, in Nyandarua and various other regions,” he said.
