The Government will distribute relief food to schools in arid and semi-arid counties to cushion them from drought, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said.
The President said the Government has taken the urgent measure so as to ensure learning is not affected by the drought situation, noting that no meaningful development could be realised if citizens were dying from hunger.
He called on school management boards and school heads in the affected areas not to send away students who have not paid school fees as the Government will ensure food stocks are not depleted.
President Kenyatta was speaking Wednesday in Kitui when he flagged off a convoy of water boozers and trucks loaded with relief food and hay for livestock to be sent to families affected by the drought in Kitui County.
“As national Government we are taking this issue to Parliament requesting them to realign the budget and allocate funds to purchase food for Kenyans affected by drought,” said the President.
The President said the Government will scale down funds for some of its development projects as part of its measures to enhance relief efforts to mitigate drought in arid and semi-arid counties.
The President, at the same time, challenged Opposition leaders to sell their policies rather than issue threats to Kenyans.
He said any challenge facing the country could only be addressed in a peaceful environment where citizens are given an opportunity to exercise their democratic right by choosing their preferred leaders but not by intimidation.
“Kenyans are more informed and will not be intimidated into electing people who are not focused on improving the country,” said President Kenyatta.
The Head of State urged Kenyans to register as voters so as to ensure resources allocated for development in county governments and at the national level are managed properly.
“The MCA, Governor and MP seats are very crucial to the development of this country because of the huge resources allocated to them,” said the President.
He also called on Kenyans to scrutinize the policies of different political outfits and only choose leaders based on the best policies and development agenda.
“Do not choose leaders based on tribe, clan or family but on policies. It is policies which will determine what kind of future you will have,” said President Kenyatta.
“Development is not brought about by your tribe or family but by good policies,” the Head of State added.
He particularly appealed to the youth to come out in large numbers and register as voters, saying it will be very unfortunate if they failed to participate in choosing the leaders they want because they did not enlist as voters and yet they have the chance to do so now.
The President urged Kitui residents to vote for the Jubilee Government because of its proven development record.
He said as a political party, Jubilee has proved itself as a reliable partner for the country’s progress.
President Kenyatta was accompanied by several Ukambani leaders including Members of Parliament Regina Ndambuki, John Munuve, Victor Munyaka and former MP Kalembe Ndile among others.
PSCU