The Ministry of East Africa Community (EAC) and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), in partnership with other institutions have united their efforts to address the pressing challenges faced by communities in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
Cabinet Secretary (CS) Peninah Malonza speaking at a Nairobi hotel, highlighted the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that Kenya recently grappled with its most severe drought in four decades.
Currently, approximately 4.4 million people in ASAL areas, along with 495 households in surrounding regions, are confronting acute food insecurity, necessitating immediate relief assistance.
According to CS Malonza, the government and its partners are providing support to around 2.8 million people and addressing the loss of roughly 2.6 million livestock due to drought.
To fortify ASAL communities and their institutions, the government and development partners have initiated various programs and projects, spanning crucial areas such as irrigation, domestic water supply, environmental conservation, value addition, and technology transfer.
Despite these efforts, challenges persist, including prolonged drought, resource-based conflicts, and limited funding for development.
The government has therefore allocated approximately 2 billion Kenyan shillings to support those affected by drought, encompassing provisions for relief food, cash transfers, support for school feeding programs, water trucking, and livestock off-take.
CS Malonza expressed gratitude to county governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and other non-state actors for their invaluable contributions in complementing the national government’s efforts in providing food assistance, non-food items, and cash support.
Principal Secretary East African Community (EAC) Abdi Dubat echoed the sentiments of cooperation, emphasizing the EAC’s vision for collaboration across more than 17 critical areas, underlining its central role in fostering unity of purpose, shared prosperity, and a collective vision for the region.
