Drought mitigation: DP Gachagua says Gov’t mulling inclusion of cash transfers

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday said the government is committed to mitigation efforts targeting Kenyans affected by drought, adding that the reach will extend beyond the traditionally identified ASAL counties.

DP Gachagua, speaking in Mathira Constituency where he handed over to current MP Eric Wamumbi,  said the government is considering changing tack in intervention measures to include cash transfers.

The deputy president said he is expected to meet development partners and governors from affected counties on Thursday on mitigation measures.

“We have a program to mobilize food and water for people who are likely to face starvation, the government is clear that we cannot allow anybody to die. I want to assure the people of Kenya that we’re not sleeping, something is being done and in the next few days, a lot of help will be coming through,” he said.

The DP added that the government intends to make changes in mitigation strategies to make interventions more effective.

“We are still debating on whether we want to do the real food or cash transfers, so that we avoid wastage and so much money being spent on logistics…that is a decision that we have to make in the next few days, but something is being done about it,” he added.

Gachagua noted that there is need to extend the list of affected counties to include some that have not been considered as ASAL counties in the past including Nyeri, Murang'a, Kiambu, Nyandarua and Embu counties.

The DP assured Kenyans that the President William Ruto administration is committed to ensuring than no Kenyan will lose their lives as a result of the ongoing drought.

The second in command also shed some light on areas of focus targeted by the budget cuts aimed at reducing the national budget by upto Ksh.300 billion.

“Non-priority areas… are things that can wait, like traveling abroad, people can travel when things get better…in areas of hospitality, people can have seminars when things get better. But priority areas such as drugs and security have to be done,” he stated.