Arid regions to get new lifeline

A policy has been formulated to tackle the challenges of arid and semi-arid areas.

Key among the issues to be addressed include the improvement of infrastructure such as roads and power supply, said the minister for Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands Mohamed Elmi.

“We are thinking of opening up the area to boost economic activities and bring development to the region,” he told a workshop on Vision 2030 for arid and semi-arid lands (Asal) in Naivasha on Monday. Asal covers 80 per cent of land mass in Kenya.

Mr Elmi said the ministry’s mandate was to bring prosperity to Northern Kenya and other arid areas so that the people could achieve their full potential and enjoy high quality life.

Other issues to be addressed include education and construction of water dams, the minister said, regretting that the area continued to lag behind due to poor infrastructure and insecurity despite its huge potential.

Mr Elmi said a 1995 sessional paper excluded these areas from development as it was felt that investments should only be in high potential areas.

Economic growth

The principal economist in the ministry, Mr Paul Obunde, said Sh130 billion was required in the next 20 years to help the region realise sound economic growth.

“We want Asal to be at par with other developed regions in the country,” he said.

In this year’s budget, the ministry was allocated Sh11 billion for the development in the region, with Sh6 billion going towards roads and Sh3 billion earmarked for water and irrigation.