The International Committee of the Red Cross in conjunction with the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) is set to initiate cash transfer to 500 vulnerable households in Ijara Sub County.
KRCS Ijara Coordinator Daud Ahmed Shalle said each household will receive Sh10, 900 each in the next two weeks.
Shalle said the cash transfer programme to the needy is purely unconditional, with no strings attached, so as to enable the beneficiaries buy food of their choice.
Chairing a Sub County Steering Group meeting (SCSG), Deputy County Commissioner Willy Cheboi said the funds will help the beneficiary families buy food items instead of supplying them with relief food.
At the same time, Cheboi called on non-governmental organisations and other aid partners operating in the area to bring their working recommendations to the local SCSG for them to compare notes and avoid duplication.
During the meeting, it was reported that the drought currently raving the region has wiped out about 1,000 herds of cattle, 300 goats and some sheep.
However, the deputy county commissioner revealed that the government has since last month donated 1,000 bags of rice, 500 bags of beans and 50 carton of cooking oil to assist the affected residents.
The meeting was attended by departmental heads, Pastoralist Girls Network and the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslim among others.
By Mohamed Dahir
