The County Government of Uasin Gishu has joined the national government and other well-wishers in mobilizing resources to support Kenyans facing hunger.
Governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim on Thursday, 10 November 2022, launched the ‘Save a Life Initiative’ that will see contributions and food collected.
The finances, food and non-food items that will be collected under the initiative will then be distributed to Kenyans facing hunger in different parts.
Speaking during the launch of the initiative at the county headquarters, Governor Chelilim asked locals to join them in contributing food, clothing and finances.
“Being the breadbasket of Kenya, Uasin Gshu County is mobilizing food relief through ‘save a life initiative’ as a mitigation measure. We should do all we can to protect children and families. I humbly appeal to you my brothers and sisters to support this course,” said the county boss.
The initiative, the governor says, was started by well-wishers that include among others manufacturers, the business community, religious leaders, and traders.
“We have enough food here in Uasin Gishu and we ask that we give whatever we can to save our people. Bring maize, potatoes, beans, wheat and whatever you can get. Help us so that we help others,” noted Chelilim.
Ksh3 million collected
Similar sentiments were shared by Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Dr Eddyson Nyale.
On his party, the Uasin Gishu chapter of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman Willy Kenei speaking at the event noted that the initiative has already received donations worth Ksh3 million.
Kenei doubles up as the initiatives’ chairperson.
Finances, food and non-food items that will be collected under the ‘Save a Life initiative’ are expected to be distributed in hunger-stricken areas within the next two weeks.
For the last few weeks, President William Ruto and his Deputy President Rigahti Gachagua have been leading the hunger response with a supply of relief food to the most affected areas.
Early this week, Ruto was in Turkana County where he appealed to development partners to support elevating the situation.
“We have not witnessed a drought situation like this in our country for the last 40 years. We ask for support from our development partners and other non-state actors in containing the situation,” he said.
Long rains
Further, DP Gachagua who was in Kajiado said so far, the government has used Ksh4.9 billion in hunger mitigation.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), in the latest update, notes that early cessation of the 2022 long rain season has worsened the drought situation in 19 of the 23 arid and semi-arid (ASAL) counties that were already bearing the brunt of poor performance of three previous consecutive failed seasons.
“This is the fourth consecutive poor rainfall season since the 2020 short rains,” NDMA says.
