[The recent drought that hit Northern Kenya killed thousands of heads of livestock, and the government has moved in to help the farmers to their feet] thelondoneveningpost.com.The national government through the Northern Water Services Board has released Sh2.65 billion for programmes mitigating effects of drought in seven counties.
The cash is part of the money set aside for the Equalization Fund in the 2016/2017 Financial Year.
According to the government, Samburu County which bore the heaviest brunt of the 2016/17 drought will receive Sh716 million- the highest allocation- while Wajir will get Sh530 million.
Other counties expected to receive the money are Garissa (Sh360 million), Isiolo (Sh144 million), Marsabit (Sh433) and Mandera (Sh470 million).
Laikipia County also categorised under NWSB did not get any allocation as it is not a beneficiary of the Equalization Fund.
On Thursday, NWSB chief executive Osman Abdullahi officially opened the Sh61.5 million Libahley Water Pan in Diiso village, Garissa County.
Addressing journalists after commissioning the project, Abdullahi said the project will ease water shortage among pastoralists in the area.
He said the water pan with a capacity of 150 million cubic metres and expected to serve 25,000 people for six to eight months is the largest in Northern Kenya.
It will also provide water to at least 40,000 livestock in the arid region.
“The government has invested in this region as far as addressing the perennial water shortage occasioned by severe drought is concerned. The project will serve both humans and livestock,” Abdullahi said.
Many parts of Northern region were recently hit by a severe dry spell that killed thousands of heads of livestock.
Garissa Township MP and Parliament Majority Leader Aden Duale lauded government for initiating the project.