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{
    "id": 491186,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/491186/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 59,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "For information purposes, budgetary provisions for the purchase of relief food in the previous years is indicated below as follows: 2009/2010 - Kshs3 billion; 2010/201 - Kshs2.45 billion; 2011/2012 - Kshs5.1 billion; 2012/2013 - Kshs2.484 billion; 2013/2014 - Kshs2.018 billion and 2014/2015 - Kshs98 million. There is a huge gap from the Kshs2 billion to the current Kshs98 million. Evidently, the Ministry capacity and efforts to reach all the vulnerable population and further respond to major humanitarian crisis such as Marsabit, Mandera, Wajir, Baringo and Mpeketoni with relief food supplies is hampered by the low budgetary provisions. Mr. Speaker, Sir, regarding long-term planning and investment, there are measures being taken by the national government in collaboration with the county government to ensure that counties in ASAL become food secure. The Ending Drought Emergency Strategy (EDE) is a ten year commitment by the Government to end the emergencies caused by drought by 2022. Its emphasis is on reducing vulnerability to drought by primarily investing in the foundations of development, that is, the things which communities can use to make themselves more food secure, peace, infrastructure, human capital and livelihoods. The EDE is an integral part of Kenya Vision 2030 second medium-term plan (MTP II). The counties are also mainstreaming it in the County Integrated Development Plans and budgets. In addition, six common frameworks have been developed to operationalize the EDC, MTP II and ensure that investment from the national Government, county governments and development partners is well coordinated. Three rounds of consultations have been held in the county governments on this between November, 2013 and July, 2014 on improving the quality and timeliness of response to drought. A number of initiatives taken are underway. These include contingency planning and financing. The Government through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has helped the county governments to develop a county drought contingency plan and finalize the system and procedure needed to manage the proposed national drought contingency fund. Mr. Speaker, Sir, regarding the issue of social protection, the Government through NDMA is also implementing the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) in four of the most drought-prone counties, including Turkana, Mandera, Marsabit and Wajir. The HSNP provides cash transfer to the most insecure households. The infrastructure put in place to manage these transfers will also be used to reach a larger number of households with cash during the periods of crisis. Cash is often the first and most accountable way of supporting vulnerable household. That is the end of the statement. Suffice it to add that the Committee met today and thought that however difficult the answer maybe, it may not be sufficient in terms of dealing with matters of drought going forward. For a long time drought was part of disaster and disaster management is both a county and national government function. We also know that drought is caused by various factors. We, as a Committee, and in the presence of the Member who asked the question that, perhaps, agreed we may require a conference similar to that being organized by the Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries that will bring together all the stakeholders, The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}