The government is staring at a drought crisis in Garissa County if the rains delay in April and May.
According to Boaz Cherutich, the Garissa County commissioner, about 20 per cent of the area residents are facing serious starvation.
Boaz spoke during the county drought steering emergency committee meeting that is currently looking at various responses for the current drought situation in the county.
Apart from receiving reports that will aid in planning and targeting most affected people with urgent intervention and support, Cherutich said all nine sub-counties had received their share of relief food.
“We acknowledge that there are still gaps. However, the estimated 30 per cent of what has not been done is where we want to focus on,” he said.
The commissioner reiterated that the government has mobilised all the development agencies who support and prepare for any eventualities in the coming months.
Apart from receiving Sh3,000 and relief food, he said, the government is working round the clock to address double registrations in the cash transfer programmes.
“A team is already in place to synchronise all departments doing cash transfers to avoid duplication,” he said.
According to Government Spokesperson Col (rtd) Cyrus Oguna, at least 2.7 million Kenyans needed humanitarian assistance.
Oguna says the government is scaling up assistance to millions of people on the verge of famine in 23 counties hard hit by protracted drought.