State has released Sh6 billion to mitigate drought in the country – Kindiki

The government has allocated Sh6 billion to support drought response efforts across the country, with additional funds set aside to cushion vulnerable communities, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said.

Speaking on Wednesday while co-chairing the 14th Development Partners Forum at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, Kindiki said the government had put in place adequate measures to mitigate the impact of the ongoing drought, particularly in hard-hit Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties.

The Deputy President urged Kenyans to remain calm, assuring them that the situation was under control.

“The government has made arrangements to make sure that we provide enough food to all the affected people and also to save their livestock from demise because of the drought. There should be no panic in the country,” Kindiki said.

He revealed that the Sh6 billion allocation is already supporting emergency response measures, while calling on development partners to enhance their assistance to ensure a comprehensive response.

According to the Deputy President, the drought has affected more than 20 counties, with ASAL regions bearing the brunt.

Kindiki said the government is committing additional resources on a monthly basis to sustain the response.

“The Government is also committing Sh4 billion every month and is asking for increased assistance from the development partners and other role players to ensure that the drought situation is comprehensively dealt with,” he said.

The DP said the government has requested the development partners and other role players to bridge the Sh2 billion gap to cover the budget required monthly, to mitigate drought.

He added that authorities are taking steps to protect livestock, a key source of livelihood in affected regions.

The government, he said, is assembling sufficient stocks of hay, vaccines and water to avert massive livestock losses as dry conditions persist.

The Development Partners Forum brought together senior government officials, county leaders and international partners to review the drought situation and coordinate support efforts.

The meeting was co-chaired by the United Nations Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson and Germany’s Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth.

Council of Governors Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi called for urgent and sustained intervention, warning that the effects of the drought were spreading beyond traditionally vulnerable regions.

“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.

He noted that the widening impact of the drought underscores the need for coordinated national and county-level action, as well as timely support from development partners.

The forum was attended by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, governors, ambassadors and representatives of various development agencies.

The government said discussions at the forum focused on strengthening collaboration, mobilising resources and ensuring that relief reaches affected communities in good time.

Authorities reiterated their commitment to working closely with development partners and county governments to minimise the humanitarian and economic impact of the drought.