Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
24 July 2009
Many Kenyans are facing perhaps the worst struggle for survival in living memory as they have to make do with diminishing supplies of food, water and electricity.
Early in the year the government declared the famine afflicting 10 million people a national disaster, but the evidence months later indicates that the problem has worsened.
This week, the ministers for water and irrigation, agriculture, special programmes, livestock and energy briefed President Mwai Kibaki on the food, water, and energy crisis and discussed measures to address the shortages.
Details of a comprehensive report on the situation handed to the president were not made public, but he promised that everything will be done to save the endangered lives.
Water and Irrigation Minister Charity Ngilu said the government will drill 250 water boreholes across the country, 50 of which will be in Nairobi, to address the acute water shortage. Already 15 boreholes have been drilled in the capital where water vendors are doing roaring business. The remaining 35 boreholes will be completed by the end of August.
Agriculture Minister William Ruto outlined the measures his ministry is taking to bridge the grain shortfall in the country occasioned by insufficient rains in the main grain producing areas.
Importation of duty-free maize has been extended to January next year. Arrangements have also been made to ensure adequate free and subsidized fertilizers and certified seeds to farmers to boost production.
Energy Minister Kiraitu said his ministry has taken measures to ensure the production of an extra 246 megawatts to meet the country's increasing demand for electricity. Money has also been set aside for emergency power production.
Livestock Minister Dr. Mohammed Kuti noted that the ongoing drought in parts of the country has affected 3.3 million cattle, 9 million sheep and goats, 150,000 donkeys and the lives of 524,000 households.
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