Residents demand transparency over El Nino funds

Residents demand transparency over El Nino funds

Nakuru County Deputy Governor Joseph Ruto has dismissed claims by Nakuru Senator James Mungai that the county is not prepared to mitigate the effects of heavy rains brought about by the El Nino phenomenon.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, Ruto stated that the national government has not released funds meant to cushion residents against the heavy rains.

The deputy governor was reacting to reports by Senator Mungai that the county administration had done little to prepare for the heavy rains where he noted that the county government had put in place a framework to handle any situation resulting from the weather.

“The county government has formed a group that comprises of the police, Kenya Red Cross officials, meteorological officers, environment officers as well as health officers,” he said

In October, the Nakuru County Government set aside Sh500 million to avert disasters that could occur due to the El Nino weather pattern.

Ruto also faulted the senator for failing to work with the Nakuru County Assembly and instead lambasting it.

Meanwhile,Migori County is on the spot after its residents demanded an explanation on how Ksh120 million set aside to mitigate the effects of the El Nino was being used.

The residents expressed their disappointment with the county administration over what they said was negligence, noting that despite being rendered homeless and having their crops destroyed, the county government has not given them any assistance.

George Odede, a resident of Awendo in Migori County, said that the county government should explain how they spent the money set aside for such disasters.

Migori County Governor Okoth Obado on Monday visited two camps in Nyatike where people displaced by floods have taken shelter and donated bags of beans to the affected families.

Speaking during the event, Obado blamed the national government for the destruction, saying the failure to release the funds meant to mitigate the floods has undermined the administration’s efforts to deal with the disaster.

Odede said: “It is unfortunate that over 500 people are going without food, better health services as well as clean drinking water at Kabuto and Nyora camps yet the two levels of government were aware of the coming of El Nino two months ago.”

Migori County Executive Committee member in charge of Environment and Disaster Management, Mr. Elijah Odhiambo, had previously said Ksh120 million had been set aside by the department to be used in compensating farmers and maintaining roads among other mitigation efforts.

Additional information by Jemima Gathoni

Tags:

Migori County Nakuru County El Nino rains Nakuru County Deputy Governor Joseph Ruto

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