Red Cross Partners with the Government on a Six Weeks of Saving Lives
The Kenya Red Cross in partnership with the government is currently working on a six weeks programme that solely aims at saving lives in drought stricken areas as well as cautioning livestock farmers in the 13 affected counties countrywide against the loses they incur during drought.
Esther Chege, the Regional Red Cross Manager, North Rift region, revealed that the government has invested close to half a billion ksh in a livestock destocking.
“The government aims to purchase 1310 cattleand 3000 cattle from livestock keepers in West Pokot and Turkana counties respectively.
The cattle will be slaughtered and distributed among the people in these two counties to help curb hunger among the people.”
“There are several drought mitigation measures that the government is trying to put in place to help the situation. These measures include developing water sources like dams, ponds and wells, water harvesting and even protecting water sources against contamination,” added Esther.
In addition, Chege said that the programme targets over 12000 households in Turkana and over 85,000 households in West Pokot.
The number of people affected by drought in Kenya increased from 3.5 million people in May to 4.1 million by June this year.
The National Drought Management Authority, NDMA, disburses close to 667 million ksh annually to cushion drought affected communities.
By Cynthia Ochieng,
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