Counties should set aside budget to mitigate disasters like drought, says Eugene Wamalwa

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has urged County Governments to set aside emergency budget for disasters such as drought.

Speaking in an interview with a local TV station on Monday, Wamalwa said that devolved governments should be at the fore front in dealing with such disasters before calling in the national government.

“It should be the county governments leading the fight against drought by setting aside emergency funds for such situations so that if their efforts fail then we as the national government can engage in helping them.” said Wamalwa.

The droughty condition has bit into most counties in the country, making the hunger situation dire.

Counties affected include Turkana, Mandera, Garissa, Baringo, Kilifi, Tana River, West Pokot, Marsabit, Makueni, Kajiado, Kwale and Isiolo.

The CS was responding to claims that death casualties have been reported in the region.

He said that no such cases have been reported so far in the areas he has visited.

“There are no confirmed deaths yet. What we have are just unverified reports,” he said.

The CS added that the food available in the country’s grain reserve is enough to feed Kenyans facing hunger, urging the county officers to make sure that the foods supplied get to those in need.

“For now we have enough food in the country, in our national silos we have about four million bags, all we have to do now is supply it to the drought hit counties.” he said.

Reports indicates that about 1 million Kenyans are facing acute food shortage owing to the drought.