Govt expands mitigation efforts as drought continues to bite

The government has sought to assure Kenyans that it is doing its best to mitigate the effects of the ongoing drought by expanding its drought mitigation efforts.

Speaking during his weekly address, State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the government is using all resources at its disposal to combat the disaster through the Ministry of Devolution.

“A few days ago, President Kenyatta declared the current drought a national disaster. Such a declaration gives the Government the powers to make available all resources at its disposal to combat the disaster, he said.

“This will see a significant increase in the cash transfer programme, food and water distribution, as well as initiatives to support pastoralists whose herds are threatened,” he added.
Mr Esipisu further clarified that no one had died as a result of the biting drought, adding that relief provided by the government is reaching its intended recipients.

Mr Esipisu further clarified that no one had died as a result of the biting drought, adding that relief provided by the government is reaching its intended recipients.

He noted that the government would expand water trucking to areas and institutions without permanent sources of water as well as scale up the provision of livestock feed as well as the sale of livestock by owners to the government to further cushion citizens from the effects of the devastating drought.

The government on Friday declared the current drought affecting 23 arid and semi-arid counties and pockets of other areas a national disaster.

Speaking at State House in Nairobi, after a briefing by Cabinet Secretaries involved in drought management and food security, President Uhuru Kenyatta called on all stakeholders to support the government by up scaling drought mitigation programmes.

President Kenyatta further called on the local and international partners to come in and support the Government’s efforts to contain the situation which he said has not only affected human beings and livestock but also the wild animals.

“Support from our partners would complement government’s efforts in mitigating the effects of drought,” said the president.

The Head of State also pledged that the government would fast-track and upscale its mitigation programmes to ensure the situation is properly contained.

This declaration came a fortnight after the Kenya Red Cross Society raised a red flag over the situation and appealed to Kenyans to help it raise a billion shillings as part of its efforts to mitigate the ongoing drought.