Over 4.3 milion Kenyans in dire need of food and water due to prolonged drought
Samburu pastoralist slaughter livestock in the de-stocking of emaciated animals in a program by the government and the Kenya Red Cross to buy livestock, slaughter and distribute the meat as relief food to the most affected families following a prolonged drought near Lengusaka in Wamba, Samburu county, Kenya July 27, 2022. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
By Tobby Otum
The government has lost 2.5 heads of livestock due to prolonged drought which has hit the country.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has expressed fear the number is growing every minute and day by day.
He pointed out over 4.3 million Kenyans are in dire need of food and water due to the drought.
“It’s regrettable that in this 21st century we discuss food security in the country,” he added.
Gachagua said the Kenya Kwanza administration is committed to address food security in the country.
He was speaking during the opening of this year’s Agricultural Society of Kenya [ASK] Mombasa international show at Mkomani grounds in Mombasa county which opened its doors to the public on November 2 and will continue till November 6.
The DP assured show goers that Kenya will be a different county in a few months to come.
Gachagua has appealed to governors through the council of governers to moot a coordinating plan to supply food from surplus food to affected regions.
He urged them to lift taxes on foods on transit to affected areas hit by drought.
“I wish to single out efforts by members of the private sector and other
organizations to respond to the drought situation,” he said.
In his welcome speech, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has asked county governments to come up with methods and ways to end drought and famine.
He asked them to ensure members of the public avoid the culture of relying on relief food distribution.
“There is urgent need for county governments to ensure they come up with mitigation and means to produce foodstuff,” he pointed out.
The CS called for collective effort to assist those affected by drought and famine countrywide.
Linturi promised he will hold a roundtable with the 47 governors to come up with ways to eradicate the perennial acute shortage and foodstuff due to drought.
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