President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced that Government will supply food items to schools that have been hit by drought, which will in turn deduct the cost of food from the fees charged to students.
Speaking at Maralal town, Samburu County during the mass voter registration drive, Kenyatta also stated that Government will buy weak livestock from herders and slaughter the animals for the locals to consume in a bid to mitigate the drought facing the country.
Uhuru’s announcement comes barely a week after Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mwangi Kiunjuri stated that the government would give Sh2,700 to 97,000 households that have been hit by drought.
Addressing a press briefing, Kiunjuri noted that the move will help counter the drought effects that have worsened because of failed short rains.
“The Government will spend a total of Sh16 Billion in 6 months to mitigate effects of drought following failure of short rains witnessed in the country,” the CS said.
Mr Kiunjiri also divulged that 11 counties had been affected with the Coast region topping the list.
“Performance of short rains season was below average thus drought conditions in Kenya are worse now,” the Devolution CS stated.
According to Mr Kiunjuri, other areas that have been affected include parts of Homa Bay and Murang'a Counties.
