President Ruto Calls for Scale up of Interventions as Drought Worsens in Kenya

President William Ruto on Thursday, February 16, called for the scale up of interventions to tackle the current drought.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the launch of the 2022 Short Rains (October to December) Assessment Report, Ruto mentioned that the response must be urgent to avert “widespread distress and suffering” as the crisis is worsening.

“We call on international partners, the private sector and well-wishers to help us bridge this resource gap that will help in building long-term resilience," the Head of State said. 

He identified the priority areas as enhanced food assistance, cash transfers, health and nutrition interventions.

Other interventions, he went on, include sustained water supply, livestock feeds, school feeding programmes and peace and security initiatives.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries, Diplomats, the National Steering Committee on Drought Response, and the private sector were present.

President Ruto said Sh6 billion has been set aside in the latest Supplementary Budget to respond to the drought between February and May.

The amount will be supplemented by the private sector-led National Steering Committee on Drought Response that has so far raised Sh650 million.

The President told the session that more than Sh15.35 billion is required for urgent life-saving interventions.

To cushion the country against such a disaster in future, the Deputy President said the Government has adopted a long-term measure.

Gachagua highlighted the irrigation and the ongoing ecological restoration in the country will sustainably help rehabilitate the environment and reverse the effects of climate change.