Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asked Kenyans to contribute a percentage of their salaries and donate it through a pay bill to help Kenyans affected by drought.
Gachagua noted that members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and the National Youth Service (NYS) will also forgo a day's salary to contribute to the same.
The DP spoke on Friday, November 25, during the launch of the National Steering Committee on drought response.
"We appeal to Kenyans of goodwill to contribute a percentage of their salaries to a pay bill number that will be established soon to contribute to the drought response kitty," he appealed.
"Our men and women in the KDF have offered to forgo a one-day salary to contribute to the drought response kitty," he added.
The DP called for solidarity among stakeholders to help curb the effects of drought.
"We appeal to Kenyans in food surplus counties to help contribute to drought-affected areas," Gachagua stated.
Furthermore, he issues a stern warning against cartels and conmen, noting that the government will not allow them to swindle Kenyans.
"Taking advantage of the drought situation to con people money when people are hungry and dying is ungodly and unacceptable," Gachagua condemned.
He further noted that other initiatives were in place to help fund relief food distribution in drought-stricken areas. The government, he disclosed, expected Ksh57.5 billion ($472 million) in funding to help the over 4.3 million Kenyans affected by drought.
He jokingly asked media practitioners to contribute what they had on them as they would be sorted later.
On November 3, the second in command urged Kenyans to distribute relief food and help feed starving Kenyans.
"Many Kenyans are suffering and we are making this appeal to help them. No Kenyan should die from hunger when others have surplus food," Gachagua stated.
