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Kenya

Kenya: FUNDS FOR FLOODS APPROVED

The Government today approved the spending of Sh4.5 billion to deal with the floods currently ravaging the country and the after effects.of this amount, Sh1.5 billion will be reallocated from existing drought, security and Kazi Kwa Vijana provisions while Treasury is to source for the balance.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who chaired a Cabinet committee meeting on the El Nino floods at the Treasury asked the Ministry of Finance to move with speed and make the funds available to line ministries to alleviate suffering.

He said the operation must begin this week and another meeting will take place next week for update on progress.

He asked the officers involved in the operation to be proactive and accountable.

The PM said there are projections that the rains are likely to continue till month-end and asked responsible officers to plan beyond the current rains and the areas currently affected.

Participating ministries in the operation includes Water, Roads, Health Services and Public Health, Defence, Youth Affairs and Sports, Provincial Administration, Special Programmes, Local Government, Regional Development Authorities, Agriculture, Northern Kenya and other Arid Areas and Forestry and Wildlife.

The money is to be spent on:

1. resettlement of about 60,000 people,

2. provision of food and non-food items,

3. repair in-takes and river crossings,

4. Provision of water bowsers, water tanks and water treatment chemicals.

5. Repair of roads

6. Health and Nutrition services,among other areas.