Government launches relief effort for Wajir flood victims
The Kenyan government has initiated a comprehensive food and medical aid program for flood victims negatively impacted by the El Nino rains in Wajir County.
The relief efforts were officially flagged off at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) in Wajir Town.
Secretary to the Cabinet, Ms Mercy Wanjau, led the event, accompanied by Principal Secretary for Cabinet Affairs Dr Idris Dokota, and Government Spokesperson Dr Isaac Mwaura.
Eleven trucks laden with essential supplies, including beans, maize, and rice, were dispatched for distribution across the affected areas.
Expressing sympathy for the flood victims, Ms Wanjau assured the residents that the government was actively monitoring the situation. During her address, she conveyed a message of unity, stating, “I want to assure you that we’re together in this and we’re praying for you.”
The relief consignment includes food, medicine, and 2,000 cartons of assorted medicines donated by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF). Ms Wanjau promised that the government would address key concerns raised by the affected residents, such as damaged infrastructure and the national grid.
“We have heard your request for these roads to be fast-tracked,” she affirmed.
Responding to the appeal made by Wajir County Commissioner Waruku J. Ngumo and Deputy Governor Ahmed Muhumed to open the border with Somalia, Ms Wanjau pledged to communicate the request to the President. She emphasized the potential economic benefits of such a move, aiming to curb smuggling and boost the local economy.
Subsequently, government officials visited the Lafaley area in the Tarbaj Constituency to distribute the aid directly to the affected population. At a daily briefing on the El Nino situation, Dr Mwaura provided updates, stating that the rains had subsided in Wajir and other Northern regions.
Highlighting the extent of the flood impact, he mentioned that over 80 schools in Wajir were affected, with repair work underway before schools reopen in January.
The aid distribution, funded by a Sh150 million donation from the US government, will continue to reach areas severely affected by the floods.
Additionally, the government advocated for girl child education in Wajir, urging residents to discourage early marriages and instead support young girls in pursuing their educational goals.
Addressing an article by an international media outlet on high taxes imposed by the Kenya Kwanza administration, Dr Mwaura called for a retraction, asserting that the media had misrepresented the true economic situation.
He emphasised the positive reputation of Kenya globally and urged balanced reporting to reflect the country’s economic growth, job creation, and overall stability.