The Government has today announced their plan to curb school absence prompted by drought and insecurity.
In a detailed press statement, the government noted that they have put in place adequate drought mitigation measures to avert a disruption of the academic calendar and other potential effects of the dry spell in the country.
A review of the Drought Status and Response Report compiled by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) bears out the Government’s strategic preparedness to alleviate drought emergencies well in time.
During an intergovernmental committee meeting that brought together six Cabinet Secretaries at Harambee House, the Authority revealed that the current drought situation is less dire than last yea€s scourge, adding that work is in progress to strengthen the institutional and financing framework for drought management through the Ending Drought Emergencies (EDE) initiative.
The report revealed that 14 counties are in the normal drought phase while nine in the alert level. However, the trend is worsening in 13 counties, which are: Garissa, Isiolo, Kitui, Marsabit, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir, Kilifi, Laikipia, Mandera, Nyeri (Kieni area) and West Pokot.
Multi-sectoral interventions focusing on health, nutrition, peace, and security are all geared towards addressing the issues that could interrupt the normal learning, especially in the country’s drought hotspots, and reduce the vulnerability of the residents.
The Government is mobilising resources for dietetic intervention programmes, health and outreach screening, and enhancement of medical supplies to the affected areas. In this regard, emergency food supplies, water, and other non-food items will be provided to households, communities, and various institutions, including schools.
These pre-emptive interventions will be complemented by sustained sensitization campaigns on hygiene and sanitation and provision of water u•ucking services and rehabilitation and maintenance Of strategic water facilities.
Another focus of attention is also on security and peace-building initiatives in counties prone to insecurity. Besides prompt responses to insecurity and crime, the Government is planning to collaborate with various actors and stakeholders to facilitate exhaustive community peace dialogue and resource sharing agreements in conflict hotspots to avert communal clashes and violence.
Other measures under consideration include, but not limited to, provision of surveillance and animal health services to cushion herders against potential losses, construction of water pans in parks to minimize human-wildlife conflicts, fuel subsidies for motorised boreholes, and distribution Of limited feed supplement targeting core breeding herd left behind by satellite herd among other interventions. The meeting was attended by Cabinet Secretaries; Dr. Fred Matiang’i, Sicily Kariuki, Najib Balala, Amb. Amina Mohamed, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Simon Chelugui, and Eugene Wamalwa.