More than 18,000 vulnerable households in Baringo County have benefited from Sh45million cash transfer project sponsored by Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) in collaboration with USAID to improve their livelihoods.
Speaking during the launch of the cash transfer at Nakoko sub location in Silale ward, KRCS Head of Disaster Risk Management, Elijah Muli, said the cash transfer will go a long way in supporting malnourished household members, orphans, people living with disabilities, those with chronic illnesses and women-headed families in inaccessible areas of the county.
Muli said 1200 households from Tiaty East and West will receive the highest share from the three-month cash transfer where a member of family will receive Sh5, 067 per month through M-pesa for the entire period.
He said that the programme will also benefit 600 households in Baringo South, 400 households each in Baringo North and Mogotio, while Baringo Central and Koibatek Sub Counties will each have 218 households supported.
Muli said that the project came in at a critical time for the targeted households and that their major concern as a team was to empower the most vulnerable communities in the county.
“Our preference for cash transfer is firmly grounded on building local economies especially in locations where it has been hit hard by the current drought,” Muli said.
He stated that their selection criteria will target households in counties hardest hit by the current drought, persons who are not receiving any financial support, as well as families living in inaccessible areas.
Governor Stanley Kiptis, while launching the cash transfer programme, expressed his appreciation to the two organizations saying that the short-term intervention will alleviate the worsening food crisis being experienced by the affected communities.
The Governor flanked by his Deputy, Jacob Chepkwony, urged the locals to utilize the money disbursed for the intended purpose and avoid spending on unnecessary things.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to the teams for selecting the most affected communities in our county and I urge everyone who has received the disbursement to utilize and buy food stuffs for the family,” he said.
Kiptis also encouraged beneficiaries to use the money to engage in meaningful economic activities like growing of fast maturing food crops to guarantee food security and extra income, which will in turn cushion more families within the county.
Anthony Limo Ali, a youth leader, from Silale ward, thanked KRCS and USAID for intervening at the right time and called for increased number of those benefiting in the next roll out of the program.
By Faith Lagat
