The National Steering Committee on Drought Response has so far raised KES 650 million towards drought mitigation in the country, two months after it was formed by H.E President William Ruto.
The Committee today received a boost in the arm by signing an agreement with the Media Owners Association, whose role will be to disseminate news and information in regards to the Wakenya Tulindane campaign.
“I am pleased to announce our partnership with the Media Owners Association because we not only need them to let Kenyans what is going on as we distribute food in the worst hit counties, we also appreciate that as the ears and eyes on the ground, they likely know what is going on in different parts of the country. I foresee this as a healthy, collaborative partnership to make sure that all Kenyans are covered and no one sleeps hungry,” said Peter Ndegwa, Chairman, National Steering Committee on Drought Response.
The funds raised by the taskforce have so far been used to distribute food in some of the worst hit counties like Mandera, Kitui, Kilifi and Samburu and Meru counties. At least 85,000 people from the five counties have received food donations from the taskforce interventions.
According to the latest report from the National Drought Management Authority, Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo, Kitui and Kajiado Counties are in the Alarm stage according to NDMA’s latest report while Embu, Narok, Taita Taveta, Makueni, Meru, Nyeri and Lamu Counties are in the Alert drought phase.
“I appreciate the partnerships that we are cultivating towards drought mitigation. The task ahead of us requires partnerships and wider participation by the all citizens of Kenya,” said Mr. Ndegwa.
The drought continues to worsen in 21 of the 23 Arid and Semi-Arid counties. This has been attributed to the four failed consecutive rain seasons and late onset and poorly distributed 2022 short rain season. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance currently stands at 4.35 million based on 2022 long rains food and nutritional security assessment report.