Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has confirmed that the government has set aside Ksh.1 billion to support affected families in the Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) regions as floods continue to wreak havoc in the nation.
Speaking during a food distribution exercise to affected families in Mathare at Valley Bridge Primary School in Nairobi on Sunday, DP Gachagua affirmed the government’s commitment to help those affected by the heavy rains.
Mr. Gachagua stated that teams from the National Youth Service (NYS), the Ministry of Interior and a multi-agency team have already kickstarted the exercise across the nation, starting with repairing major damages within the nation’s capital.
“We have allocated money to NYS, Interior Ministry, we have budgeted Ksh.1 billion to buy more food for people in SAL (regions). We will continue to partner with experts in public health to enable them to buy medicine to prevent diseases like cholera and malaria,” said Gachagua.
“The government is alert; we are partnering with stakeholders and we are doing everything possible to make sure that we do not lose more lives and more property destroyed.”
However, he urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and watchful as heavy rains continue to pound, forcing rivers to break their banks.
“I want to appeal to the people of Kenya, you are adventurous and that is the way it should be but, in this situation, Kenyans should not dare nature because they will be the losers,” he said.
“We have seen incidents where a Kenyan can see there is obvious danger and by being irresponsible to a greater extent, they proceed to dare nature and they have lost their lives.”
Some of the items distributed to the affected families include 100 bags of rice (50kgs each), 50 bags of Porridge flour (24kgs each), 100 bags of beans (each 50kgs) 10 bales of sanitary pads, 50 sufurias, 50 jikos, 50 bars soap cartons, 25 solar lamps, Plates, Bowls and spoons (125 each).
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