On 8th September 2021, the President of the Republic of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta declared drought a national disaster with close to 2.5 M people affected across the country.
Of the 23 stricken counties, Tharaka Nithi is on high alert with Education, Health and Agriculture sectors highly overwhelmed.
While addressing the media at her office on Wednesday, County Commissioner Beverly Opwora affirmed that areas most overpowered in the county were Tharaka North and Tharaka South sub counties with Igambang’ombe also listed as hunger struck. Maara and Chuka sub counties had small portions affected.
“Rivers in the county have since dried up. Our farmers who were hopeful that the rains would be sufficient and who had already planted crops have been in distress since none have sprouted. Cash crops like coffee and tea that highly depend on adequate rainfall”, she said.
185 schools have been afflicted, with 30,747 students troubled by the disaster. Hospitals have also been hit by nutrition related diseases.
According to Opwora, the government through the Public Service and State Department of Special Programs have ensured affected households receive donations.
“Through the National Government, two weeks ago we received 1200 bags of rice and 800 bags of beans which we distributed”, she said.
The elderly under the Social Protection Program received KShs 101,128,000 which has seen 12,641 elderly people benefit.
Following directives by the government not to give food supplies and instead offer cash transfer to drought affected persons, a committee was set up with the County Commissioner as the chair to oversee its activities.
The County Steering Group has stakeholders from Education, Water, Health and Agriculture sectors with non-state organizations such as Red Cross and National Drought Management also joining in.
“We are currently identifying families highly affected. We are thankful because we are finalizing that process this week and we will be able to give names of those that will be the first beneficiaries. We have more than 6000 families that will benefit from the program”, Opwora said.
The committee in collaboration with Tana Water Services are set to deliver a truck to supply water to schools, hospitals and other affected places.
The County Commissioner called upon the Woman Representative and Member of Parliament through NGAAF and CDF to ensure they support overwhelmed places, especially schools with water tanks.
Opwora thanked non-governmental organizations for helping in school feeding programs and said there was a need to have long term plans to help supply water to afflicted areas to help boost agricultural activities and the big 4 agenda.
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