Ministry of EAC, ASALs & Regional Development

REMARKS BY THE CABINET SECRETARY FOR EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY, ARID AND SEMI-ARID LANDS (ASALS) AND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT DURING THE FLAGGING OFF OF FOODSTUFF DONATED BY DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS AT THE PORT OF MOMBASA ON MONDAY THE 20TH OF MARCH, 2023.

Your Excellency, the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, Hon.
Rigathi Gachagua,
Your Excellencies the Ambassadors and Heads of Missions,
The UN Resident Coordinator,
The World Food Program Representatives,
Representatives of Development Partners here present,
Colleagues and other Government Officials,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It gives me immense pleasure to join Your Excellencies today as we receive foodstuff donated by our worthy international friends and partners.

2. The prolonged drought Kenya has suffered after six consecutive seasons of failed or poor rains piled undue pressure on the Government with regard to cushioning vulnerable citizens from starvation.

3. The Government of Kenya is grateful for the ‘Grain from Ukraine’ humanitarian initiative. This thoughtful gesture is adequate testimony of the good relations Kenya and Ukraine have maintained over the years. To you Ambassador Andrii, kindly convey our gratitude to the Government and the people of Ukraine.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

4. Once again, the US Government stands with Kenya in a time of need. Thank you Ambassador Meg Whitman for the consignment of sorghum we are receiving today. Your continued support to Kenya’s wellbeing is heartwarming.

5. The UN family under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator Dr. Stephen Jackson has consistently advocated for more international support towards countering the negative impact of drought in Kenya and the larger Horn of Africa region. What we are witnessing today are the results of that unrelenting effort. We thank you all most sincerely.

Excellencies,

6. The poor performance of the October to December 2022 short rains followed by hot and dry conditions between January and March have worsened an already fragile situation. The assessment of the impact of short rains on food and nutrition security projected that as many as 6 million Kenyans may need relief food by June 2023.

7. Over and above Kenya’s 23 ASAL counties affected, pockets in 9 non-ASAL counties are in need of relief food. In recent days, I have visited a number of affected counties and witnessed firsthand the extent of need for food, water and pasture. It is apparent that of the most affected persons in most areas that need support are children below five and expectant and lactating women.

8. Most pressing of our needs just now are, food assistance, water; supplementary livestock feeds and more vibrant livestock off-take. Besides, we need to extend support to facilitate safe migration and peaceful access to pasture and water for livestock. In this regard, maize imported by Unga Farm Care Limited for the manufacture of livestock feeds will go a long way towards cushioning assets that support livelihood, especially for pastoralists.

9. To cater for communities affected by drought, the Government allocated Ksh. 6 billion to scale up response interventions for the months of February and march alone. Thankfully, development partners, the private sector, and other non-state actors have continued to support the Government in its efforts to make the lives of those affected more bearable.

10. Granted, rains received in some parts of the country recently have brought some relief. However, the five consecutive failed rain seasons have led to the loss of livelihoods on massive scale. For some of the affected parties, it may take years to recover from a drought of the magnitude we have witnessed.

11. Excellencies, in conclusion, we appreciate that droughts may recur and therefore the humanitarian assistance we seek today should be considered a stop-gap measure. What we need are long-term measures that will avert the emergency the current situation has thrust us into. We invite you to join us in putting in place long-term measures to achieve this noble quest. Together, we can help affected communities to bounce back and build greater resilience to cushion the vulnerable from the vagaries of droughts that may occur in future.

12. Now, it is my pleasure to welcome the Deputy President of the Republic of
Kenya, His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua to address us. Welcome Your
Excellency.


Thank you.

The Government continues to provide humanitarian support to the affected communities across the Country . Ministry of EAC,ASALs and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and her Education counterpart Ezekiel Machogu launched relief food distribution in Wajir,Marsabit and Turkana Counties. They reiterated Government's commitment to ensure no life is lost due to hunger.

Cabinet Secretary for EAC, ASALs and Regional Development Hon. Rebecca Miano visited St. Monicah Lodwar Primary School during the Launch of relief food distribution in Turkana County. She's accompanied by Education CS Ezekiel Machogu.

Hon. Rebecca Miano flags off relief food distribution in Wajir County.

Cabinet Secretaries Rebecca Miano and Ezekiel Machogu paid courtesy call to Wajir Governor H.E Ahmed Abdullahi ahead of official visit to the County.