The government has registered approximately 2,000 families affected by drought to benefit from a cash transfer program aimed at boosting food security in Turkana County.
The initiative also included the distribution of food aid to 10 schools in Suguta and Lokori Kochodin.
Patrick Losike, County Executive for Public Service, Administration, and Disaster Management, confirmed that the Kenya Red Cross is one of the development partners supporting the County Government’s drought response efforts.
Rukia Abubakar, Regional Coordinator for Kenya Red Cross Turkana, said the intervention was coordinated through the County Steering Group to prevent duplication of efforts. “We were mapped to cover Suguta and Lokori Kochodin, while other partners focused on other hotspots,” she explained.
The exercise involved assessing future needs, with Abubakar noting that the situation remains critical, with both people and livestock at risk.
Local authorities, including area Chief Ekiru Alokas, lauded the County Government and Kenya Red Cross for collaborating with the community to ensure fair targeting, emphasizing that vulnerable groups were prioritized during enrollment.
While local leaders welcomed the intervention, they urged the government and partners to increase the number of beneficiaries and consider including animal feed in the assistance package to support pastoral livelihoods.
The program reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen social protection measures and enhance resilience among drought-affected households in the region.
By Peter Gitonga
