Isiolo County requires Sh734.9 million for drought mitigation to support feeding 156,000 people for the next three months, County Drought Management Coordinator, Mr. Omar Abdi has said.
Speaking during a meeting of the County Steering Technical Working Group, Mr. Abdi, said that Sh431 million will meet the human food needs and Sh357, 577,580 to purchase animal feeds, veterinary drugs and water trucking to four drought hotspot areas.
The Drought Coordinator said that Modogashe, Banale and Alango require Sh48, 270,400 which includes allowances for drivers and loaders who work 18 hours daily to truck water from Habasweni, Wajir County some 60 km away.
He said that the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has purchased 5,040 bales of hay and the other development actors like FAO 2500 bales and ACF an NGO operating in Garbatula 4000 bales in an effort to improve and sustain the livestock body conditions.
The Coordinator said that the government has put 17,240 county residents on a cash transfer programme while 11,500 are still waiting for the program whose next phase starts next month, October.
Abdi said that 60 percent of locals are taking one meal per day as 33 percent had poor borderline food consumption.
He added that Oldonyiro, Ngaremara, Cherab, Chari and Sericho wards are under food threat due to commodity pricing which shoots on weekly basis.
The NDMA coordinator urged the NGOs to focus their attention on humanitarian aid and lifesaving plans adding the situation on the ground is pathetic as the livestock production has reduced by 65 percent forcing the poor local residents to only buy milk from Meru County.
President Dr. William Ruto flagged off the relief food on Tuesday to support thousands of families that are facing hunger due to prolonged drought in 23 Counties where 3.5 million Kenyans are suffering.
While releasing the trucks to ferry the food aid to the needy residents, Isiolo Deputy Governor Dr. James Lowasa, confirmed that the area has received 1080 bags of beans, 600 bags of rice and 300 cartons of corn beef to be shared by residents in the County’s 10 Wards.
According to the NDMA, 145,000 families are in dire need of food aid in Isiolo County as the drought situation continues to get worse.
By Abduba Mamo and David Nduro
