Kenya moves to deal with drought crisis

• Sh24 billion plan to fight food, water and energy emergencies set for Monday launch, says PM

The Sh24 billion emergency plan to deal with food, water and energy crises is to be launched in Kenya even as effects of the crises continue to be reported in various parts of the country.

The launch, by Kenya's President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, will take place on Monday in Marsabit, one of the areas hardest hit by drought and famine.

Addressing Parliament on Wednesday on how the government was responding to the food and water crisis, Mr Odinga said that some of the steps to be taken include distribution of relief food to the hungry, improving irrigation and sinking boreholes.

Money to finance the activities will be raised from the budgets of relevant ministries with an additional Sh3 billion from the main Budget.

Mr Odinga also asked the international community to help. “These challenges are immense. The government implores all members of Parliament and fellow citizens to join us in this cause. I also appeal to the international community to enhance its assistance.”

About 70 to 90 per cent of livestock, he said, were out of their normal grazing zones, scavenging for pastures in other places, including game parks and urban areas. Some 130,000 head of cattle have died.

The national maize harvest, the PM said, was expected to drop to 20 million bags, compared to an annual consumption of 33 million.

“The power supply situation is equally grim. Hydro-power generation has already been cut by 46 per cent and our total capacity has been reduced to about 900MW. This falls short of the peak demand by 200MW. We had no choice, but to introduce power rationing.”

Mr Odinga also said that the government was still considering writing off loans owed to Agricultural Finance Corporation by farmers.

He said about 7.5 million people were in need of food aid in rural areas while 3.5 million suffered a similar fate in urban areas.

The PM named Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, Mwingi and Kitui districts as among the worst affected areas.

Others are Tana River, Turkana, Laikipia, Mandera, Wajir and Garissa.