The government is seeking to raise an additional Ksh 10 billion to address the drought crisis affecting Kenyans, President William Ruto has said.
The President said the government has released Ksh 4.5 billion while development partners have raised an additional Ksh 20 billion to help Kenyans facing hunger.
“The government, private sector and donor agencies will meet next week to find ways of raising the additional resources we require to address this issue. “
The President disclosed that the government will spend Ksh 12 billion to subsidize seed and fertilizer to boost food production.
The construction of Lowat Dam in Turkana County, he added, will commence in February next year to provide water for irrigation and livestock in the area.
The President was speaking in Nakaalei in Turkana and Baragoi in Samburu when he led a team of local leaders, the Red Cross Society and development partners in distributing food.
“We will tap underground water for farming. We are looking to put between 500,000 to one million acres of land under irrigation through public private partnership,” he said.
The President also said police reservists will be redeployed to Turkana South and Central constituencies to end the cattle rustling menace.
“Tell those involved in the business of cattle rustling that we will stop it.”
