Thirdway Alliance party leader Eukuru Aukot urged the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to revive the “Kenyans for Kenya” campaign as the government seeks to raise funds for the country’s ravaging drought.
Aukot stated that the government requires citizens’ help in dealing with the drought and famine crisis that has ravaged the Northern and North Eastern counties of Isiolo, Mandera, Garissa, Turkana, Wajir, Samburu, and Marsabit.
“On this drought and famine, let us revive “KENYANS FOR KENYANS. Deputy President should bring a Paybill number so that Kenyans can contribute and save the lives of the people suffering across the country,” he stated.
In response to media reports of famine and starvation in Turkana County, corporate leaders and the Kenya Red Cross launched the “Kenyans for Kenya” fundraising campaign in 2011.
The initiative raised over Ksh677 million in cash and close to Ksh300 million in kind to help address the famine situation in the country’s north.
His remarks came shortly after the government received Ksh280 million from the private sector to supplement the drought response fund.
DP Gachagua, who accepted the donations, stated that the government urgently needed Ksh2 billion to support ongoing mitigation efforts and urged the corporate sector to be more generous.
Drought has affected Kenyans in over 12 counties, with crops failing due to a lack of water after the long rains failed.
Over 4.1 million Kenyans are currently suffering from the effects of severe drought across the country, with the majority struggling to access food and water.
Across the country, an equal number of people are food insecure and in need of humanitarian assistance.
According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), three more counties, Laikipia, Tana River, and Tharaka Nithi, have been added to the list of counties in the alarm phase as a result of the drought.
