Kisumu leaders told to budget for disaster

Red Cross West Kenya Region Treasurer Patrick Madanje undergoing malaria test at Nyamasao Village, in Kisumu County during commemoration of 50 years of Red Cross' existence in Kenya. [PHOTO:MAUREEN ODIWUOR/STANDARD]

KENYA: Kisumu county Government has been challenged to make budgetary allocations for humanitarian and disaster management.

Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) officials from western said it is important that government systems support humanitarian activities spearheaded by the society.

Western KRCS chairman GPO Onyango said there is urgent need for the county governments to allocate funds for emergencies.

"We want the county government and local politicians to embrace what we do. Red Cross services should be seen as a supplementary service," he said.

The two spoke at Nyamasao Primary school in Kisumu County during the society's 50 year celebrations which was marked with a medical outreach.

The event which reached over 2,000 people involved tests for common infections, family planning services and shoe distribution to three primary schools.