Kenyan Senator Seeks Interventions To Mitigate Effects Of Periodic Drought And Hunger

Kenyan Senator Enoch Wambua wants the country's Ministry of East African Community (EAC), the ASALs and Regional Development to develop immediate and long-term interventions to alleviate the ravaging effects of drought and hunger periodically affecting the country.

In a motion before the Senate, the lawmaker argues that many Kenyans face a myriad of challenges due to drought, hence the need for authorities to put in place measures to urgently handle the situation.

"More than 4.2 million people representing 24% of the ASAL population are facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with about 2.7 million in crisis phase and 785,000 people in emergency state," explained Senator Wambua.

The Kitui Senator said despite efforts made by the National and County Governments, both Local and International Development Partners and Philanthropists, the situation is still wanting, with school-going children being the worst hit.

"Thousands of children did not attend school during the third term of the academic year 2022 and beginning of 2023 as a result of the ongoing drought," said the Legislator.

Further, the motion seeks to have the Ministry of Education, in conjunction with the Council of Governors, initiate programmes to help address the situation.

"The Ministry of Education, in conjunction with the Council of Governors, should establish modalities to ensure no learners are sent away from schools due to lack of school fees to ensure that children from vulnerable families have access to education," explained the lawmaker.

"The Ministry of Education, in conjunction with the Council of Governors to implement effective school feeding programmes to ensure that children from vulnerable families in drought-hit regions have access to at least one hot meal per day and that no child misses class due to lack of food," added the Senator.

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