The Government will slaughter 1,823 cattle, and the meat product will be distributed as relief food for more than 18,250 households and institutions in Isiolo County.
Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Mr. Kepha Marube, said that the government’s intervention, would avert losses that face the local herdsmen during the looming drought.
The Kenya Red Cross Society is the main implementing agency for the undertaking. The DCC encouraged them to accelerate the process, starting at the formation of village-level committees that would ensure that the deserving residents sell animals in time so there was room for distribution and slaughter.
Marube spoke at a County Steering Group meeting on Friday. He said that the imminent drought requires quick intervention from various players to save livestock owners from the pain they are experiencing after rain failures for several seasons.
According to the Administration, the meat would be distributed to public institutions including schools, health centres, and special interest groups in the County.
He stated that 10 households would slaughter one cow, while four households would slaughter a goat and/or sheep.
Merti Integrated Development Programme – a non-governmental organisation, aims to have 673 households receive Sh. For three consecutive months, 5,000 monthly cash transfer for food rations.
The Project’s Program Coordinator Ibrahim Kabelo, said that the charity from Sheikh Althani Zakat, will be distributed to several villages in Muchuro, Manyatta Prison, Badana in Garbatula Sub- County, Biliqo Marara, Dima-Ado and Awaristu in Merti Sub- County.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA)’s County Information and data Officer, Mr. Francis Murithi, said that 40 per cent of boreholes have collapsed, complicating the drought crisis to a point of sometimes witnessing conflict between herders and wildlife at night.
Murithi stated that water trucking has been undertaken by the Government in Modogashe, as well other areas that are being affected by the drought.
He stated that water trucking efforts must be intensified to address the water crisis in the vast ASAL County.
By Abduba Mamo, David Nduro
Source: kenyanews
