Govt To Get Ksh7B From WFP, These Households To Get Ksh11K Monthly

The World Food Programme (WFP) will offer Ksh7 billion as relief assistance to at least 940,300 people facing famine in 10 counties to mitigate the rampant drought situation.

Agency Country Director Lauren Landis announced on Wednesday, March 15 while meeting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at Harambee House Annex in Nairobi.

Landis further revealed that food and cash will be distributed under the Lisha Jamii Phase II programme between April and September 2023.

In WFP Phase I, at least 89,000 households benefited from relief support while the Second Phase brings in 157,500 households. Beneficiaries are identified through the National Government Administrative Authorities and County Governments.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua meeting with the World Food Programme team on March 15, 2023. /FACEBOOK.RIGATHI GACHAGUA

Under Phase II, food assortments and cash will be distributed to families in the identified counties.

“The second phase is (worth) Ksh7 billion and we hope to make it Ksh10 billion. This is substantial, but we still need more,” she stated. 

In addition, each household will receive Ksh11,200 cash in Isiolo, Kitui, Baringo and Tana River counties per month. An assortment of food of 64kg per household will be distributed in Turkana Samburu and Marsabit per month.

On the other hand, residents of Wajir, Garissa and Mandela affected by the famine will receive Ksh5,600 and 34.5 kg of food per month.

Landis added that the ongoing nutrition programme for children and lactating mothers will continue.

"The UN agency has committed food and non-food items to support the Government of Kenya and other partners’ interventions to the drought and famine, which has affected more than 5.3 million people in over 30 counties in the country. Through the agency, 25MT of wheat and 16MT of sorghum will be delivered to the country next week," Gachagua stated in part.

The Deputy President further lamented over the prevailing drought situation which has cost the whole country livestock and food leaving millions of Kenyans battling starvation.

“We have missed five consecutive rain seasons. This is the longest drought in 40 years. We have over 5.3 million Kenyans facing starvation; we have lost 2.5 million herds of livestock; thousands of children are malnourished; it is that bad. Thank you for committing to mobilise more resources and working with the County Coordinating teams,” Gachagua added.

The Deputy President requested more partnerships in water supply, livestock feeding, nutrition rations for children, expectant and lactating mothers, as well as dialogue and peace-building in conflict areas.

While referring to the volatile security situation in the North Rift as a result of banditry, Gachagua explained that food provision, including schools, will not only save lives but also help children to learn instead of picking guns and engaging in rustling.

A return of the WFP school feeding programme, which ended in 2017, was discussed as the country works on long-term solutions to food security by mitigating the impact of climate change.

Gachagua was joined by Cabinet Secretary for East Africa Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Rebecca Miano, her Education counterpart Ezekiel Machogu, Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Deputy President George MacGoye, among others.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua meeting with the World Food Programme team alongside Cabinet Secretaries on March 15, 2023. /FACEBOOK.RIGATHI GACHAGUA