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Kobia: 2.5m Kenyans face starvation

Wednesday, January 26th, 2022 06:48 | By
Gender Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia. PHOTO/File

Some 2.5 million Kenyans from 23 counties are facing starvation after the short rains failed. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Margaret Kobia yesterday announced that 13 counties are the most affected by the food shortage.

The crisis continues to claim the lives of livestock besides leaving populations grappling with starvation. Kobia said Lamu, Turkana, Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, Kilifi and Taita Taveta received poor rainfall despite the fact that residents heavily rely on crops as a source of livelihoods.

Speaking while flagging off the distribution of 340 tonnes of food donated by Kuwait government in Thika and which is expected to benefit some 6,400 of the most affected families, she maintained that the government has put in place measures to redress the issue.

She singled out initiation of programmes such as irrigation projects through drilling of boreholes and a drought fund that allows the establishment of income generating community projects among others.

“The government is doing a lot in terms of irrigation, infrastructure among other areas to eradicate poverty,” she said.

Kobia announced a plan by the government to buy from farmers 76,667 livestock that are considered weak and which will be slaughtered for distribution as relief food in a joint venture between the Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Defence, Kenya Meat Commission and the Kenya Red Cross Society.

Cash transfers To stimulate the economy in the drought-affected counties, she further revealed that the State has shifted from food distribution to cash transfers to help curb pilferage and ensure decency.

Kuwait’s envoy to Kenya Qusai Rashed Al-Farhan said his country will continue to supply relief food to affected Kenyans lauding the Kenya-Kuwait long-standing union.

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