Drought response team, KDF to rehabilitate 300 boreholes

At least 300 boreholes spread in over 32 counties across Kenya will be rehabilitated through a deal by the National Drought Response Committee in liaison with the Kenya Defence Forces as the taskforce embarks on long term plans to mitigate the effects of severe drought.

The work on boreholes in arid and semi arid counties is set to benefit over two million drought stricken people who are already suffering from lack of adequate water for domestic use and for their livestock.

The team chairman and Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa disclosed the plan during a food distribution exercise in Mariakani, Kilifi County, where about 1,500 families received food aid.

“We have other plans such as rehabilitation of boreholes in most of the ASAL counties that will seek to create a greater sustainability in dealing with the drought as we collaborate with the government and other stakeholders for longer term measures that will alleviate this drought crisis,” said Peter Ndegwa, Chairman, National Steering Committee on Drought Response.

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The latest data from the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) shows about six million Kenyans from 32 counties are food insecure with the persisting drought set to continue due to depressed rainfall.

At least 970,000 children and 142,000 pregnant women are malnourished with urgent lifesaving interventions needed. The number of malnourished children has risen from 884,000 children as at July 2022.

newsroom@maudhui.co.ke