The government has released Sh 2 billion to help mitigate the on going drought in the country, which has affected 865,000 people in 13 counties.
Speaking after an emergency meeting held on Monday at Harambee Annex, Deputy President William Ruto said the funds will ensure adequate distribution of food, life-saving aid, and water to the affected areas.
“Government has made available Sh2 billion to manage, mitigate drought that has affected 865,000 people in 13 counties. Funds will ensure adequate distribution of food, life-saving aid to needy populations, water trucking and complement first-line interventions by county governments.” read a part of a twit on Ruto’s twitter handle.
The DP acknowledged that over a million people in the 13 counties were facing starvation but insisted there was no cause for alarm as Kenya remains stable in matters food security.
“There is no cause for alarm as the situation is not as bad as it was two years ago,” he said
He also called on the county governments to realign their budgets for emergency responses.
His sentiments were echoed by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, who upon visiting the areas himself, said their were no hunger-related death in the area, urging counties to be first to respond to such disasters.
“There are no confirmed deaths yet. What we have are just unverified reports,” he said.
Reports indicated that cases of hunger-death have been reported in various drought stricken regions.
In attendance were Devolution CS Wamalwa, Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri among other emergency response practitioners.
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