DP Gachagua grace the 45th annual Lions day at UN headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi
Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has today presided over the 45th annual Lions Day commemoration at the United Nation’s headquarters in Gigiri, Nairobi.
The celebration dubbed ‘Hunger, Nutrition and Wellness’ called on people around the globe to find innovative solutions for the growing challenges especially brought about by severe climatic conditions.
“We are in a crisis. No doubt, the world is bleeding from the impacts of climate change. Kenya is bleeding from the impact of climate change. To demonstrate the impact of climate change, Kenya has consecutively missed five rain seasons. We are deep into one of the longest droughts in four decades. As a result, more than 5.3 million Kenyans are facing starvation in 31 counties across the country, while livelihoods worth USD 1.5 billion have been lost in the last one year. Wildlife- one of our leading foreign exchange earner, has also not been spared. The drought is threatening to drive the world’s heritage- the wildlife- to oblivion.” The DP said.
He called for collaboration through the climate action commitment to solve the challenge of food insecurity and malnutrition.
” While we appreciate the UN Family and other national and international non-State actors for their support of more than Sh47.8 billion towards emergency response in the past few months, the situation is dire.” He added.
The DP has also called on all Kenyans to undertake the ‘jazamiti initiative’ being championed by President Ruto, targeting 15 billion trees by 2032 to increase the forest cover.
“While Kenya is taking immediate and a few long-term measures in response to drought and famine, we cannot manage the situation alone. We need children in school otherwise they will be left behind. We need safe pregnancies and deliveries but malnutrition among expectant and lactating mothers and children threatens to erase gains made in suppressing mortalities in these vulnerable groups. The ripple effect is that hungry people cannot escape poverty, they cannot be healthy, they cannot go to School, they cannot be peaceful. In short, there is a direct link between food security and achievement of all the Sustainable Development Goals in which we seek to Leave No one Behind.” He added.
“As we celebrate the 45th Lions Day, the World and humans are interconnected; if we have to save humanity from the threat of extinction, my burden must be your burden. We must stand united or we perish.” The DP observed.
The Kenya kwanza administration is laying short and long term strategies and investments which include drilling of more boreholes, intensifying water harvesting through mega dams across the country to restore human dignity and put Kenya back on the trajectory of realisation of Agenda 2030 of the UN alongside our own, Vision 2030.
