President William Ruto has been installed as the patron of the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS).
Kenya Red Cross announced on Tuesday that President Ruto will be the organization’s fifth patron since its inception in 1965.
“This morning Kenya Red Cross Society was honoured to install H.E President @WilliamsRuto as its Patron at a ceremony held at State House Nairobi. H.E William Ruto becomes the 5th Patron of Kenya Red Cross, in line with its tradition of having the head of state as a patron,” read a statement by KRCS.
The ceremony was presided over by KRCS governor Geoffrey Kipngetich and Secretary General Asha Mohamed, who discussed drought mitigation strategies to address the ongoing crisis in many parts of the country.
The president, for his part, welcomed the installation, saying that the country would work with other bodies and organizations to ensure that Kenyans in drought-stricken areas received the necessary aid.
“Honoured to join the Kenya Red Cross Society as a patron, State House, Nairobi,” stated President Ruto.
“The @KenyaRedCross Society must build strong, expanded and productive collaboration that will encompass response to climate change in its operations. That way, it will help mitigate the adverse effects of a changing environment and build resilience in our communities.”
The President expressed confidence that the interventions being carried out in collaboration with development partners and the private sector will save the lives of Kenyans in the worst-affected areas of the drought.
He urged the Kenya Red Cross Society to continue playing an important role in efforts to alleviate the drought, which has affected 20 of the 23 Arid and Semi-Arid Lands counties (ASAL).
“Go further and join us in sensitizing our communities about climate change and ways of building resilience,” he said.
At the same time, the commander-in-chief assured that his government would provide an additional Ksh.2 billion, in addition to the Ksh.3.2 billion previously provided, to combat famine in the country.
“I am mindful and highly appreciative of the important role played by the Kenya Red Cross, Regionally and Internationally. We are proud of the enhanced peer-to-peer support you offer other National Societies in various thematic areas,” said President Ruto.
