Ruto says State has released Sh1b to ward off scourge of starvation
What you need to know:
- He said the national government was ready to support county governments in ensuring they have adequate food supplies.
The Deputy President said the Government would do all it can to ensure no Kenyan dies from hunger.
Relief was not a lasting solution to famine, he said and asked County governments in arid areas to invest heavily in irrigation.
“A billion shillings has been released to ensure food is given out to the hungry. In fact we have food worth Sh10 million for Samburu County,” he said.
Addressing two separate functions in Baragoi stadium and St Teresa nursing school in Samburu County, Mr Ruto said the Government plans to turn semi aid areas into food surplus zones.
He said semi arid areas in the country have the potential to become food basket if water for irrigation was available.
The Deputy President added that although the Treasury has released the money to ensure residents facing famine were provided with food, more resources must be directed to irrigation.
He said the national government was ready to support county governments in ensuring they have adequate food supplies.
On insecurity, the Deputy President said that the Government had put in place firm security measures, including use of helicopters, in the fight against banditry.
He said the purchase of helicopters was among a raft of measures lined up by the Government in the fight against the menace.
Mr Ruto said this would ensure timely response of security officers who will confront the rustlers before disappearing with stolen animals.
