Nyandarua County Government has laid out plans to mitigate the ongoing drought that has continued to be experienced in parts of the region.
In a county disaster management meeting chaired by the area Governor, Francis Kimemia, the devolved unit agreed to set aside Sh.50 million in bid to curb the situation that has affected residents and livestock.
In the meeting, it was decided that the County Government in collaboration with the National Government would provide food to all colonial villages and children homes, which serve as most vulnerable in the communities.
Among the areas hardly hit by drought were lower parts of Ndaragwa, colonial villages, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) settlement schemes, especially in Ndaragwa, Ol Kalou and Kinangop.
“The only thing that we can do when faced with drought is to prepare well in advance by putting in place measures to lessen its adverse effects. We shall start by laying measures to curb drought in the most affected areas,” noted Kimemia.
The Governor said that the County Government would truck water to schools and health centers as a short term measure with the government intensifying the sinking of boreholes, de-silting dams and the construction of water pans in all the affected areas.
“If we as the County Government move in and provide water to these institutions children will have water in their schools and hence learning will not be affected. Hospitals too will have enough water as we wait for the long rains,” said Kimemia.
The governor noted that his government would immediately roll out animal immunization program and provide subsidized fodder to mitigate deaths and losses to make sure that animals were protected too.
“Animals immune system is compromised due to inadequate feeds, leaving them susceptible to opportunistic diseases. Inadequate feeds force the animals to graze very close to the ground, further exposing them to anthrax and botulism. The Agriculture Department will immediately roll out the immunization program as the livestock have also been adversely affected by the ongoing drought,” said Kimemia.
At the same time, he called on the National Government to supply enough relief food to the region, saying that the County Government would not manage the crisis alone.
By Jesse Mwitwa/James Thuku
