Government sets up special programmes to address the needs of arid and semi arid counties
The Government has set up special programmes to address the needs of all arid and semi arid counties not only during the current ravages of floods and beyond.
East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza said each of the 23 counties often ravaged by drought will receive Sh250M to restock their cattle killed by drought last year.
The Cabinet Secretary who spoke in Kajiado County when she visited flood victims and witnessed the distribution of food aid added that the Government will acquire 50,000 acres of land in the 23 counties plus ten others to start ranches for cattle fattening and resale to Middle East countries.
“President William Ruto has his Government focused, like never before, on the welfare of pastoralist communities and set up special programmes to promote their economic empowerment”, she said.
Malonza noted that the Government will also fund pasture development through feedlots, veterinary services and ensure skins and other cattle products fetched money but not be thrown away.
She said there were various initiatives meant to boost community resilience and development in areas prone to natural disasters like droughts, floods among others.
CS Malonza who was accompanied during the tour by Kajiado West MP George Sunkuyia, Principal Secretary Kello Harsama and local leaders visited Esonorua, Eroret Primary School, Magadi, Kamukuru, Shombole, Olerai, and Ngurumani in Kajiado West Constituency.
Mr Sankuyia appealed to the Government to urgently rehabilitate damaged roads, health and educational facilities and bridges in the area as well as construct new ones in flood prone areas.