Ksh.6B allocated to drought response, more funds set aside-DP Kindiki

The Deputy President said the funds are being used to provide food, water and medical support to vulnerable populations, as well as protect livestock in drought-hit regions.

Speaking on Wednesday while co-chairing the 14th Development Partners Forum at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, Prof. Kindiki said the government has also committed to releasing an additional Ksh.4 billion every month to sustain the response measures.

“The government has made arrangements to ensure that affected citizens are supplied with food, water and medical care, and that livestock losses are minimised. There should be no panic,” he said.

Prof. Kindiki added that while the government is scaling up its response, a funding gap still exists, calling on development partners and other stakeholders to help bridge a Sh2 billion shortfall every month to sustainably address the drought situation.

He noted that the drought has affected more than 20 counties, particularly in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), but warned that its impact is increasingly being felt across the country.

The Deputy President said the government is also mobilising hay, vaccines and water to avert further livestock losses and cushion livelihoods.

Council of Governors Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi called for urgent and coordinated action, warning that the crisis is no longer confined to ASAL counties.

“While ASAL counties are the most affected, non-ASAL counties are experiencing spill-over effects through rising food prices, water stress and livelihood disruptions,” Abdullahi said.

The forum was attended by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, United Nations Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson, German Ambassador Sebastian Groth, governors, ambassadors and representatives of various development agencies.