Government Partners with Private Sector to Mobilize Resources for Drought and Famine Mitigation.
Following the gazettement of a steering committee to oversee the mobilization of resources for drought and famine mitigation by President William Ruto earlier this week, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on 25th November 2022 presided over the inauguration of the steering committee.
Speaking after the inaugural meeting at Harambee House Annex, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appealed to Kenyans of goodwill to help the government and the private sector led by Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa to raise adequate resources to mitigate drought and famine in Kenya.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua also confirmed that we are looking at a failed 5th rain season after four consecutive failed seasons not only in Kenya but across Africa.
“There is urgent need for solidarity regardless of next year’s rainfall performance. Recovery from a drought of this magnitude will take years. With extremely high humanitarian needs set to persist and even increase in 2023, we have to act now to save lives and for this more funds are crucial,” Rigathi Gachagua.
“To complete these ongoing efforts, the National Steering Committee on Drought Response that we are inaugurating today will among other things establish a private-led National Drought Mitigation Appeal Fund and mobilize resources to alleviate the impact of drought ravaging parts of this country,” Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Rigathi also urged Kenyans to rekindle the spirit of Harambee and lend a helping hand to Kenyans currently affected by the drought.
During the address, the Deputy President praised religious organizations that have been mobilizing food and other in-kind donations for the affected families. He also thanked the Kenya Defence Forces and National Youth Service for forgoing their November salaries.
The Drought Mitigation Steering Committee will establish a pay bill where Kenyans of goodwill will be expected to donate and help families affected by drought. The Deputy President also requested Kenyans to donate a portion of their salary to the pay bill.
Kenyans in food surplus counties were also urged to make their donations through the office of their respective governor and county commissioners who will lias with the National Steering Committee for coordination.
The Deputy President also warned cartels, conmen and fraudsters who would think of taking advantage of the initiative of dire consequences and facing the wrath of God. Rigathi described such activities as ungodly and unacceptable.
