Written By Ramadhan Kambi | |
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has told off, Deputy President William Ruto over his recent remarks about the hunger situation in Kilifi County.
In a teet to Kenyans, Ruto remarked that his administration will offer financial support to farmers when he is elected President in the next year General Election.
“It is a pity that more than half a century after independence, people in some parts of our country such as Kilifi still die of hunger. From next year, the UDA administration will offer financial support to farmers to improve production.” the tweet read.
In his response, the visibly angry Governor told the DP that while serving as Agriculture minister, he concentrated on empowering Rift valley farmers and left the Coast region in limbo.
“It's a pity that when you served as Agriculture Minister, You did absolutely nothing to help the poor Coast Farmers. You neglected and marginalised coast farmers when you had the power and resources to change their lives. Instead, you prioritized Rift Valley. Shame on you,” Governor Kingi said in a tweet.
The remarks have drawn sharp criticism on both leaders, who were being accused of doing little to end the drought menace in Kilifi county.
Drought affects about 2.4 million people, with nine counties being the severely afflicted.
The most impacted areas are Nyeri, Embu, Laikipia, Kajiado, Makueni, Meru, Narok, Samburu, and Taita Taveta, which are all under the alert drought phase.
According to the National Drought Management Authority’s December national drought status bulletin, which was released on Monday.
According to Cyrus Oguna, the government spokesperson, Sh2.4 billion has been allocated for drought relief since October.
Cash transfers, water transportation, and livestock offtake are among the interventions, according to him.
“The livestock initiative is unusual in that the government will purchase each animal for Sh15,000 and give the meat back to the community as part of the drought intervention,” Oguna explained.
Several regions of the ASALs suffered dry weather conditions in November, according to the drought update report.
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