Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced 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 and mitigate the ongoing crisis.
He 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.”
He however 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 bails of sanitary pads, 50 sufurias, 50 jikos, 50 bars soap cartons, 25 solar lamps, Plates, Bowls and spoons (125 each).
EAC, ASAL and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza added that DP Gachagua has also added a personal donation of 500 mattresses.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has also donated blankets, sleeping mats, jerrycans, and mosquito nets (500 each).
DP Gachagua further intimated that the families seeking refuge at the school will soon be relocated to pave the way for learners as they set to reopen schools.
He noted that the government seeks to have three camps within Nairobi: One in Masinde Muliro grounds, the other in Mavoko Assistant Chief’s camp and the third in the Kasarani area.
As of Saturday evening, the confirmed death toll from floods had risen to 83 after 13 more bodies were recovered.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said the floods have displaced 24,196 households comprising 131,450 people.
The Kenya Red Cross has set up about 59 IDP camps, rescued 350 people, distributed non-food items to over 22,000 people and supported over 360 households with food.
The Kenya Meteorological Department has predicted that rainfall is expected to continue over several parts of the country with over 40 counties expected to receive heavy rainfall in the coming days.
