President Uhuru declares drought a national disaster
President Uhuru Kenyatta has declared the drought affecting parts of the country a national disaster.
Kenyatta made the declaration after a meeting with Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani and 85 leaders from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (Asal).
Consequently, he instructed the National Treasury and the Ministry of Interior to spearhead government’s efforts to assist affected households including water and relief food distribution as well as livestock uptake.
“Details of the government’s comprehensive drought mitigation measures will be made public in due course,” stated State House spokesperson Kanze Dena.
The government’s comprehensive drought mitigation efforts include; distributing water and relief food as well as buying livestock.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), in its early warning bulletin, has announced that some areas of northern Kenya are in severe pasture deficit mode.
According to NDMA, close to two million people are food insecure in the arid counties of Kenya. Considering we are headed to an election year, this could lead to prolonged inter ethnic conflict.
Due to climate change, the frequency of drought has increased and so has the level of vulnerability.
