The Wakenya Tulindane National Steering Committee on Drought Response has, on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, distributed relief food in Mwingi North Constituency in Kitui County.
Equity Group Chief Operating Officer Samuel Kirubi who doubles up as a member of the steering committee led the distribution of various food items (hampers) in Mwingi North to benefit individuals and households that have been adversely affected by the ongoing drought.
“It is the festive season and the Wakenya Tulindane Committee felt it was important that we extend support to other Kenyans who are suffering from the adverse effects of the drought.
“Our short-term relief initiatives include the food distribution exercise which has commenced today with a similar exercise ongoing in Kilifi County. We intend to reach out to the 5 priority areas before the week ends even as we draw long-term plans to alleviate the recurrent effects of drought in the country,” Kirubi said.
While officiating the handover, Kitui County Commissioner Erastus Ngui, said; “The last four years have seen Kenya experience unexpectedly low rainfall resulting in poor harvest, crop failure, and drought in some parts of the country. The Wakenya Tulindane initiative symbolizes the need for Kenyans to join hands to safeguard our people and our country from the effects of drought. The food distributed today will reach at least 2,860 households.”
This initial food distribution exercise is a short-term measure pending the implementation of the proposed long-term drought response measures to support affected communities in five (5) priority counties which include Kilifi, Marsabit, Kitui, Samburu, and Meru Counties.
The National Steering Committee will later extend mid-term and long-term drought relief efforts to the other 42 counties by complementing the National and County Governments’ efforts to resolve water issues that have a direct impact on food security.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) says the number of Kenyans at risk from the ongoing drought stands at over 5 million, with 4.3 million of these living in areas under severe drought in various parts of the country, a situation that prompted president William Ruto to establish the Wakenya Tulindane National Steering Committee on Drought Response in November 2022.
The committee’s mandate is to raise funds to supplement the Government’s drought response program and lessen the effects of drought in the country.
Notably, besides Equity Group’s financial contribution to the kitty, the firm has also committed to supporting the National Government and the affected communities to adopt new farming techniques including irrigation and climate-smart agriculture, to set up infrastructure for abattoirs, and to provide permanent water and pasture solutions among other initiatives.
