The Government through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), has announced the release of Ksh. 338,620,500 million for needy and vulnerable households.
They will benefit the vulnerable households affected by erratic rainfall patterns from March to May.
Under this initiative, 119,406 households in Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera, Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa, and Tana River counties will benefit from a monthly stipend of Ksh.2,700 each, with the first disbursement scheduled for the month of July.
“Beneficiaries will begin receiving their payments Monday September 25th 2023 through Equity and KCB Bank Agents and branches within their regions,” said Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development Rebecca Miano.
“The sustained drought undermined livelihoods and community coping mechanisms making the communities identified for cash disbursements markedly vulnerable. In addition, these counties are ranked the poorest and most susceptible to drought-related shocks besides having the lowest human development index (HDI).”
Rainfall patterns across Kenya have shown a mixed picture, with the Northern and Southern Rift Valley, Coastal, and Central regions receiving near-average to average rainfall (between 75% and 125% of the long-term average).
In contrast, the Northern and Eastern parts of the country experienced above-average rainfall (above 125% of the long-term average), except for some areas in Southern Kajiado that received below-average rains (below 75% of the long-term average).
7,346 households in Garissa county will receive Ksh.24,588,900, 4,614 households in Isiolo will receive Ksh.13,327,200.
Additionally, 6,287 households in Samburu county will receive Ksh.18,335,700, 6,011 households in Tana River will receive KSh.17,685,000.
20,407 households in Mandera are set to receive Ksh.56,308,500, 19,174 households in Marsabit are set to receive Ksh.52,868,700.
Finally, 37,445 households in Turkana County will also receive Ksh.105,656,400, as well as 18,122 households in Wajir to receive Ksh.49,850,100
