4 counties scaled up to ‘alarm stage’ days after president Kenyatta declared Drought a national disaster

NAKURU,Kenya, Sep, 10 – Millions of Kenyans continue to be affected by the ongoing drought with the government now revealing the number of those affected could possibly double from the current two million according to recorded statistics if the expected short rains in October fail.

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamala has revealed that four counties have been scaled up to the ‘alarm stage’  as a result of the harsh weather.

The counties include: Wajir, Marsabit, Isiolo and Garissa.

“We have ten counties that have been adversely affected by the drought and of the number four have been scaled up to the alarm stage. “The President has already declared the drought as a disaster and we are appealing to parliament to fast track the disaster risk management bill into law to address the current situation,” said Wamalwa.

President Uhuru Kenyatta declared drought, that is affecting parts of the country a national disaster.

Consequently, the President has instructed the National Treasury and the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government to spearhead Government efforts to assist affected households including water and relief food distribution as well as livestock uptake.

“More details of the Government’s comprehensive drought mitigation measures will be unveiled in due course,” said State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena Mararo in statement.

The government has also denied claims that Kenyans have died as a result of the drought instead saying any death in the affected counties is as a result of COVID-19.

The government has established a multi-agency taskforce to support the affected families.

Under the Hunger Safety Net Programme each beneficiary is expected to receive at least Sh5,400.

During a meeting with Regional and County commissioners from the affected counties, Wamalwa however said, several livestock have died as a result of the drought.

Government has issued a Sh597m cheque to Equity Bank which will be used to support affected families in Turkana, Marsabit, Wajir and Mandera.

Further Sh10 billion will be released to counties hosting refugees under the Kenya Development Response to Displacement Impact Project (KDRDIP).

“Under this project Garissa will get Sh4.2B, Turkana Sh3B and Wajir Sh2B as we are targeting counties that are hosting refugees and have been affected by the drought,” he said.

The government is expected to release cash through the Relief Assistance Management Information System (RAMIS).

The devolution ministry is working with the World Food Programme and National drought management authority by harmonizing their data in order to avoid cases of double allocation.

Also, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as well as the European Union (EU) have committed Sh1.5 billion and Sh500 million respectively towards water tracking and water provision to the affected communities.