National Drought Relief Team Raises Kshs1 billion

In an effort to help spare Kenyans from starving, the National Steering Committee on Drought Response has gathered Sh1 billion. Nevertheless, the committee has also made an appeal to donors for further assistance, claiming that the situation is still critical.

Also, the committee stated that in order to address the severe water deficit for both people and animals, it has prioritized the drilling of boreholes around the nation with the help of the Kenya Defense Forces.

Peter Ndegwa, the head of the committee, stated that more than six million people need emergency food aid. He also noted that 60% of open water sources have dried up and that the typical flow of permanent rivers has decreased by 40%.

Ndegwa, who also serves as the CEO of Safaricom, was speaking Friday as he oversaw the distribution of emergency food to 1,500 citizens of Mariakani in Kilifi County. On his wheelchair, Mr. Kazani Chirunga, a resident who is crippled, transported his ration, which is meant to last one month.

Ndegwa stated that the current food distribution program aims to assist more than a million individuals nationwide.

“This week, Kajiado, Samburu, Isiolo, Wajir, Mandera, Turkana, Kitui, Kilifi, and Mandera counties are the main targets for food distribution. The nine counties will provide food gifts totaling Sh150 million to over 320,000 individuals, he said.

Almost 80,000 Kilifi residents, according to acting disaster response manager Venant Ndighila of the Kenya Red Cross Society, need immediate food assistance. He also noted that many children have left school.