The Kenyan government has put in place adequate drought mitigation measures to avert a disruption of the academic calendar and other potential effects of the dry spell in the country, the government disclosed on Wednesday.A review of the Drought Status and Response Report compiled by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) bears out the government’s strategic preparedness to alleviate drought emergencies well in time.
During an intergovernmental committee meeting that brought together six Cabinet Secretaries at in Nairobi on Wednesday, the authority revealed that the current drought situation is less dire than last year’s scourge, adding that work is in progress to strengthen the institutional and financing framework for drought management through the Ending Drought Emergencies (EDE) initiative.
The report revealed that 14 counties are in the normal drought phase while nine in the alert level.
However, the trend is worsening in 13 counties, which are: Garissa, Isiolo, Kitui, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, Kilifi, Laikipia, Mandera, Nyeri (Kieni area) and West Pokot.
“Multi-sectoral interventions focusing on health, nutrition, peace, and security are all geared towards addressing the issues that could interrupt the normal learning, especially in the country’s drought hotspots, and reduce the vulnerability of the residents,” the government said in a statement issued in Nairobi.
The government said that its mobilising resources for dietetic intervention programmes, health and outreach screening, and enhancement of medical supplies to the affected areas.
The government said that emergency food supplies, water, and other non-food items will be provided to households, communities, and various institutions, including schools.
These pre-emptive interventions will be complemented by sustained sensitization campaigns on hygiene and sanitation and provision of water trucking services and rehabilitation and maintenance of strategic water facilities, noted the statement.
Kenya has experienced perennial drought for three decades forcing thousands of children to drop out of school.