Kilifi County Commissioner Joseph Keter (left) and county Kenya Red Cross manager Hakima Masoud (right) verify an SMS text from one of the beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme launched in Kaloleni. Add caption |
The Government has
declared the current drought affecting 23 arid and semi-arid counties
and pockets of other areas a national disaster.
Speaking after
being briefed on the situation on the ground by Cabinet Secretaries
involved in drought management and food security at state House Nairobi,
President Uhuru Kenyatta called on all stakeholders to support the
Government by upscaling drought mitigation programmes.
The President also
called on the local and international partners to come in and support
the Government's efforts to contain the situation which has not only
affected human being and livestock but also the wild animals.
"Support from our partners would complement Governments efforts in mitigating the effects of drought," said the President.
He said the government would fast track and upscale its mitigation programmes to ensure the situation is properly contained.
The President at
the same time gave a stern warning to all who are involved in food
distribution that the Government would take serious measures on those
who would try take advantage of the situation to enrich themselves.
"I will not
tolerate anybody who would try to take advantage of this situation to
defraud public funds," said President Kenyatta.
The President
therefore, said all purchases of food and other requirements be done in a
transparent and open manner and that all government agencies be
involved to ensure Kenyans are not defrauded.
"Let all
investigative agencies including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption
Commission get involved in the activities being undertaken during this
period. I don't want the Government to be accused of taking advantage of
this situation," said the President.
To stabilise the
high prices of cereals, the Government would allow maize importation by
the licenced millers but would strictly monitor the situation to ensure
it is done in a very transparent manner.
In its phase two of
drought intervention covering the months of February to April, the
Government has allocated 11 billion shillings to carter for intervention
in various sectors.
Already National
Treasury has release the first tranche of Ksh 7.3 billion while the
county governments have provided Ksh 2 billion.
The Government intends to enhance the interventions including doubling of food rations and cash transfers among other measures.
Present were Chief
of Staff and Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua, Cabinet Secretaries
Henry Rotich (Treasury), Willy Bett (Agriculture and Livestock), Mwangi
Kiunjuri (Devolution), Phyllis Kandie (Ministry of East African
Community (EAC), Labour and Social Protection), Eugene Wamalwa (Water
and Irrigation) and Principal Secretaries Richard Lesiyampe, Susan
Mochache, Fred Sigor and Conservation Secretary Gideon Gathaara among
others.
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