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The National steering committee on drought response has announced it has raised more than Sh592 million since it was launched.
The funds, according to the committee, includes Sh150 million from Co-operative Bank, Sh130 million from Kenya Defence Forces, Equity Bank’s Sh120 million and KCB’s Sh100 million.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa who is the committee’s chairperson revealed this on Sunday after briefing the President on the progress it has made.
During the event, Ndegwa also announced the launch of a ‘Wakenya Tulindane campaign’.
The ongoing campaign has been fashioned to mirror its objective.
“We have adopted the name Wakenya Tulindane, which we believe symbolises the essence of the campaign; to safeguard our people and our country from effects of drought through both short and long term measures,” Ndegwa said.
Other corporate institutions that have boosted the kitty are Safaricom with a Sh50 million donation, Diamond Trust Bank (Sh20 million), Kenya China Economic and Trade Association and Dawoodi Bohri Community donated Sh10 million each, while the Middle East Bank gave Sh2 million.
The collected amount, Ndegwa said, will be used to purchase and distribute relief food as well as facilitate cash transfers.
“We look forward to the task ahead as we support our brothers and sisters impacted by drought. We appeal to Kenyans to donate any amount they can go towards the appeal fund,” he said.
To ensure transparency in collection and disbursement of the funds, the chairperson said five sub-committees have been formed.
Their roles include developing long term sustainable solutions against the perennial effects of drought.
The sub-committees include Finance and Governance, Communications and Awareness, Resource Mobilisation, Procurement, Logistics and Operations and Sustainability.
According to NDMA, the drought situation continues to deteriorate in 21 of the 23 ASAL counties.
This is attributed to the four failed consecutive rain seasons, late onset and poor distribution of the 2022 short rains season.
Some 4.35 million people are in need of food assistance.
About 14 counties namely Laikipia, Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kwale, Samburu, Tana River, Tharaka Nithi, Turkana, Wajir, Kitui, Kajiado and Mandera are classified under Alarm drought phase.
Seven counties including Embu, Narok, Taita Taveta, Makueni, Meru, Nyeri and Lamu are in the Alert drought phase.
The remaining two counties of Baringo and West Pokot are in Normal drought phase.
Acute malnutrition has also been noted across the counties with 942,000 cases of children aged 6-59 months acutely malnourished.
A further 134,000 cases of pregnant or lactating women are acutely malnourished and in need of treatment. BY THE STAR