CS Ruku assures Tana River residents of government support as drought bites

Speaking while overseeing a relief food distribution, the CS said the government is working tirelessly to assist the 180 households displaced by the Tana Delta floods and drought to rebuild their livelihoods.

Ruku noted that the provision of relief food has been necessitated by the ongoing drought, which has compounded the humanitarian situation in the area, leaving many families struggling to meet their basic needs.

During his visit, the CS engaged residents of Konane and Tana delta where he witnessed the condition of earth dams, water pans and seasonal rivers across the County Garsen, which have dried up, exposing communities to acute water shortages and heightened food insecurity.

He witnessed firsthand the severe impact of shrinking water sources on both human and livestock populations, pushing communities to the brink and underscoring the need for urgent government intervention.

In Kokane Sub-County, Ruku assessed the severity of the drought and monitored the distribution of emergency relief supplies. He assured residents that the government remains fully committed to standing with them during this period of climate-related hardship and will continue providing support until conditions improve.

The CS observed that the challenges facing Konane and Tana Delta in Garsen Constituency reflect a wider national crisis caused by prolonged failure of rains, adding that more than 23 counties are currently experiencing drought, with over 2.3 million Kenyans facing food insecurity.

Ruku said the government has scaled up coordinated response efforts through relevant agencies to address the immediate needs of vulnerable communities.

Beyond emergency relief, he added, the government is investing in long-term, sustainable interventions to strengthen community resilience to droughts, floods and other disasters.

These measures include improved water harvesting, construction of earth dams and water pans, and promotion of climate-resilient livelihood programmes to mitigate the impact of future shocks.

The CS also visited Imani Primary School in Tana Delta, which was relocated after the devastating floods and currently serves more than 300 learners.

He said that the Ministry, through the State Department for Special Programmes, has funded the construction of some of the school’s structures to ensure learning continues in a safe and conducive environment despite the effects of the disaster.