Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy Eluid Owalo Saturday presided over the launch of the distribution of relief food at God Kwer, Suna West Constituency, Migori County.
Presiding over the launch on behalf of President William Ruto, Owalo said that the Kenya Kwanza Government is determined to facilitate the alleviation of the devastating effects of long drought through famine relief intervention.
The CS was flanked by Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, Okoth Obado (Former MP Migori County Governor), Jared Kopiyo (former Awendo MP), and Fred Outa (former Senator Kisumu County).
Others included Nicholas Gumbo (former Rarieda MP), Omondi Anyanga (former Nyatike MP), Fred Ogenga (former Nyatike MP aspirant), Valentine Ogongo (former Suna West aspirant), UDA Migori County Coordinator Fred Siengo, UDA Chairman Phares Odira, and Migori County Commissioner Michael Mwangi.
So far the National Steering Committee on Drought Response has raised Ksh 592 million for Kenyans facing famine.
The Committee headed by Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the funds will be used to purchase food for distribution and also do cash transfers.
President Ruto commended various organisations for stepping forward to support the Government's efforts towards confronting drought in the country.
"This is beyond patriotism; we are indebted to you," he said.
The President said the Government will put more resources to help Kenyans in need of food aid besides investing in agriculture to boost food production.
"To deal with climate change challenges we must have comprehensive short, medium and long-term plans," he added.
The committee briefed the President at State House, Friday morning, where they provided an update on the progress they have made as they unveiled the ‘Wakenya Tulindane’ campaign.
“We have adopted the name Wakenya Tulindane which we believe symbolises the essence of the campaign; to safeguard our people and our country from the effects of drought through both short-term and long-term measures”, said Peter Ndegwa, Chairman of, the National Steering Committee on Drought Response.
Among the institutions that have donated include Co-operative Bank which has contributed Ksh 150 million, Kenya Defense Forces (Ksh 130 million), Equity Bank (Ksh 120 million) and KCB (Ksh 100 million).
Other corporates that have boosted the kitty are Safaricom with a Ksh 50 million donation and Diamond Trust Bank (Ksh 20 million). Kenya China Economic and Trade Association and Dawoodi Bohri Community donated Ksh 10 million each while Middle East Bank gave Ksh 2 million.
Earlier this week it was also announced that all Cabinet Secretaries will contribute one month’s salary towards the fund while the committee members have agreed to donate their allowances and to seek partnerships with various service providers at no cost.
