Governor Cecily Mbarire has constituted a drought and disaster management committee to foresee ongoing drought response interventions in Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) parts of Embu County.
In a meeting held at the university of Embu to discuss mitigation measures to curb the drought situation in the county, the Governor revealed that 102, 036 people in Embu county have been affected by drought.
Mbarire said that Embu County received 200 Kgs of rice and 360 Kgs of beans as relief food from the special programs department in Nairobi which has been distributed to Mbeere South and that the same quantities of relief food are expected to be distributed in Mbeere North.
The Governor who spoke during the unveiling of the committee said that for some time many people have thought that Embu County cannot be on the list of ASAL counties adding that Mbeere North, Mbeere South and some lower parts of Runyenjes have been affected by drought.
The Governor said that the drought and disaster management committee which constitutes of members from the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), some NGOs, the County government, National Government Administration Officers (NGAO), various elected political leaders from Embu, Embu Water and Sewerage Company (EWASCO) and County Security Agencies will foresee drought response interventions in the county and ensure that the relief food is given out to those who are in dire need.
Mbarire said the current drought crisis in Mbeere North, Mbeere South and lower parts of Runyenjes requires concerted efforts and called on development partners, people of goodwill, religious organizations, and the business community in the county to donate foodstuff in support of the initiative.
She added that for all the people affected by drought to be reached, Embu County will require 29,000 Kgs of maize, 16,000 Kgs of beans and 15,000 Kgs of rice.
The county boss also disclosed that Tana Water and EWASCO have provided water tanks and water bowsers and that the water tanks will be distributed in the drought-stricken areas.
The county boss further said that EWASCO will be supplying water to the various places where the water tanks will be distributed.
Mbarire also called on well-wishers to donate animal feeds and nutritional supplements for those families in the drought-affected areas as her administration worked on arresting the situation.
County Commissioner Stephen Kihara said that the relief food distribution will be done by a multi-agency team to ensure that only the rightfully deserving people affected by drought are the ones to receive the relief food.
The Commissioner said that the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) will repair one borehole in the lower parts of Mbeere South and will also be providing the fuel needed for the effective running of the borehole.
