Slightly over four months after being tasked to chair National Development and Communication Cabinet Committee, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i will also chair a committee that will handle drought responses forthwith, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.
At a Cabinet meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, Matiang'i's ministry was tasked to chair the sub committee as part of government's efforts to mitigate drought and eventualities such as feminine and hunger which hit most parts of Nothern Kenya.
"A committee to be chaired by @InteriorKE has been set up to ensure that Government response to the drought situation is well coordinated. The committee has also been charged with the responsibility of putting into place mitigation measures for the remainder of the year," State House confirmed.
The committee will set necessary measures to ensure the prices of basic food is not hiked by rogue traders. Also, it will work with pastrolists to start destocking while animals are healthy.
"Cabinet assured that Government will take necessary measures to ensure basic food commodity prices remain stable.Cabinet also urged pastoralist communities to start destocking while animals are still healthy and gave an assurance of State help in restocking when weather improves," the statement added.
Dr Matiang'i has been instrumental in President Uhuru Kenyatta's presidency and is credited for spearheading reforms in ICT, Lands, Education and the Interior Ministry, handing him the tag of a 'Super Minister'.
When he toured Kisii in February, President Uhuru Kenyatta hailed the former University of Nairobi don, asking his colleague ministers to emulate him. The President poached Matiang'i from parliament where he worked as a researcher after 2013 polls.
Currently, the powerful minister is in charge of supervising and monitoring all government projects, a duty that was previously held by Deputy President William Ruto. His elevation almost caused conflict between the duo before President Uhuru Kenyatta met them in Mombasa.