KENYA RECEIVES KES. 29 BILLION FROM THE US GOVERNMENT FOR DROUGHT.

The Government of Kenya has received humanitarian aid worth KES. 29 Billion (USD 255) from the US Government through USAID to help address the ongoing drought situation in arid and semi-arid counties.

In her address during a press briefing held after a roundtable discussion between Kenya and USAID on the drought situation and the ongoing response, Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Margaret Kobia thanked the US Government for the continued support to Kenya and the donation of KES. 29 billion which she noted will go a long way to complement the government’s efforts in managing the drought situation.

“We appreciate the US government for its continued support to Kenya and the donation it has made today of KES. 29 Billion which will assist 4.1. million people who are facing acute food insecurity in Kenya,” she said.

The Cabinet Secretary noted that the funds would complement the government’s efforts in managing the drought situation.

Currently, the government has scaled up its drought mitigation efforts and to date has spent approximately KES. 12.6 billion on various interventions.

The mitigation measures, the Cabinet Secretary noted, have been achieved through the support and collaboration of development partners, humanitarian agencies, the private sector and other non-state actors.

In her remarks, Administrator Samantha Power said that the US and Kenya enjoy a cordial relationship and that the US will continue to support Kenya, especially during the drought period that was declared a national disaster by President Uhuru Kenyatta.