Marsabit, Turkana receive additional Ksh.1.34B funding as El Niño rains loom

Marsabit and Turkana counties have received an additional Ksh.1.34 billion funding to strengthen drought resilience and mitigate the effects of the expected El Niño rains.

The €9 million funding (equivalent to Ksh.1.34 billion), has been provided by the German KfW Development Bank under the Drought Resilience Programme for Northern Kenya.

Speaking during the signing of an agreement between the State Department for Irrigation and the two county governments, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho said Turkana will receive €2 million (approximately Ksh.298 million), while Marsabit will get €7 million (approximately Ksh.1.04 billion).

The additional funding brings the total allocation under the programme to €30 million (approximately Ksh.4.47 billion), with each county now set to receive €15 million (approximately Ksh.2.24 billion).

PS Kimotho said the government was also preparing to make use of water expected from the October-December rains as part of measures to address water shortages and strengthen drought resilience.

The PS also issued early warnings to residents in areas considered vulnerable to flooding, noting that those living in high-risk areas have been advised to move to higher ground.

The programme will finance water harvesting, storage and irrigation projects, alongside measures targeting livestock and pastoralist communities.

It will also support animal health services, rangeland management, fodder production and livestock marketing, as well as improvements to rural roads, sanitation facilities and health services in schools.

According to the programme, about 5,000 acres of rangeland will be rehabilitated, with an estimated 10,000 direct and indirect jobs expected to be created.

The additional financing comes as the government steps up preparations for the October-December rainy season, which is expected to bring heavy rains in parts of the country.

The programme was initially allocated €21 million (approximately Ksh.3.13 billion), with Turkana receiving €13 million (approximately Ksh.1.94 billion) and Marsabit €8 million (approximately Ksh.1.19 billion).