First Lady Margaret Kenyatta yesterday received an additional Sh 9.5 million towards the drought mitigation kitty.
The donations were made by various corporates and individuals who presented the money to the First Lady at State House Nairobi.
The well-wishers included Dalbit Petroleum represented by the Company’s Chairman Humphrey Kariuki who gave a Sh 6 million donation.
Kenya Airports Authority represented by Managing Director Jonny Andersen gave another Sh 2.5 million while the General Motors gave an additional Sh 0.5 million.
Other donations came from the Livingstone Maingi Mungania family who donated Sh 300,000. Both Terrasol Kenya Limited, a flower farm based in Limuru and Green Kenya Corporation topped the kitty with Sh 100,000 each.
During the function, Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Dr. Abbas Gullet announced that since the KRCS put an appeal for people and organizations of goodwill to assist their compatriots affected by the current drought in 23 counties, a total of Sh 500 million had been realized including Sh 100 million from Kenyans.
He said the situation of the drought is not getting any better and the figure of Kenyans directly affected by the drought is climbing to 3 million people.
Some of the affected Counties include Turkana, Isiolo, Lamu, Marsabit, Kajiado, Mandera, Moyale and Baringo where KRCS was recently forced to temporarily suspend food distribution after one of its trucks was looted.
Dr. Abbas However said KRCS officials had met the leadership of the county and agreed to resume food distribution after addressing insecurity issues.
He said although the KRCS society prefers the cash transfer model rather than food distribution, the cash transfer method cannot work in some areas like Turkana.
The KRCS boss said due to the ongoing banditry attacks in Baringo, his organization is facing additional challenges of providing health services for the sick and injured, tracking and re-uniting children with their families and providing psycho-social support to the affected people.
The First Lady thanked the well-wishers saying no Kenyan should be allowed to go hungry. She said the money will go a long way in assisting those affected by the drought.
Over a week ago, the First Lady visited North Horr in Marsabit County where she gave an assurance that her office will not jut sit by and watch Kenyans suffer from drought.
She promised to do whatever it takes to ensure those affected have access to food and water.
During the function, Ms Gin Din of the Gina Din Group thanked the First Lady for her simplicity and humility as she continues to serve Kenyans.