New KCC has been allocated KSh 500 million to mop up excess milk in the market as a reactionary measure to cushion farmers from the effects of the El-Nino rains.
In order to contain the above-normal short-rains, the cabinet directed the National Treasury to release additional Sh10 billion to County Governments this week, on top of similar amount released last week to the devolved units to address the disaster situations in their respective areas.
- Ministries, Departments and agencies have also been directed to commence reallocation of funds in their budgets to support the emergency response being undertaken by the state.
- In an emergency meeting chaired by President William Ruto on Monday, the Cabinet sanctioned a proposal to parliament for the replenishment of the contingencies Fund and the rationalization of the budget under Supplementary Appropriations two of Financial Year 2023/24
- The Cabinet noted that the ongoing rains has led to destruction of property and infrastructure, displacement of families, loss of lives, outbreak of diseases as well as prolonged power outages across the country.
Since the onset of the rains, 76 lives have been lost, while 35,000 households have been displaced. The most severely affected areas are in the North-Eastern, Eastern and Coast Regions.
The cabinet also directed the ministry of energy and petroleum in consultation with all agencies within the sector, to give priority to maximum production, uptake and distribution of hydro-generated power.
The ministry is expected to pass the benefit of lower electricity tariffs to the public in a manner that promotes the increased use of hydro-generated power, which has presently increased to 20 per cent while diesel has gone down from 15 per cent to 10 per cent.
IGAD predicts El Nino rains in Oct-Dec season (kenyanwallstreet.com)
