President William Ruto has announced he will lead the country in a prayer service on February 14 at Nyayo Stadium to seek God’s intervention to end drought and hunger in the country.
Speaking during the interdenominational service in Nakuru, President Ruto urged those who will not make it to Nyayo Stadium to have services anywhere and pray for the country.
He also said his government has set aside seeds and fertilisers for agriculture, but all plans cannot go well if God doesn’t provide rain.
Religious leaders are expected to attend the prayers that will be held between 8am and 4pm.
The drought situation remains critical in 22 of the 23 arid and semi-arid (ASAL) counties due to the late onset and poor performance of the much-anticipated October to December 2022 short rains, coupled with four previous consecutive failed rainfall seasons.
In November 2022, the President allocated an additional Sh2 billion to help with the drought situation around the country.
The government with support from the private sector planned to contribute an estimated Sh10 billion shillings to boost drought response in the affected counties.
The money was to be spent towards the purchase of medical supplies for malnourished families, food for both animals and people, and also addressing the country’s water challenges.
In 2022, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the National Steering Committee on Drought Response had raised KSh 542 million for Kenyans hard hit by the prevailing famine in the country.
Currently, nine ASAL counties namely; Kilifi, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana, Wajir, Isiolo, Kitui, and Kajiado are in Alarm drought phase while 13 counties are in Alert drought phase. These include Garissa, Lamu, Narok, Tana River, Makueni, Tharaka Nithi, Baringo, Laikipia, Meru, Taita Taveta, West Pokot, Nyeri and Kwale. Only Embu county is currently classified in Normal drought phase.
BY NKATHA Wainaina