Deputy President William Ruto has put on notice Government officials in the Ministry of Agriculture who have failed to utilise an estimated Sh5.5 billion meant for farmers in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (Asals) counties across the country.
The project, jointly funded by the Kenyan government and Africa Development Bank (AfDB), aims at reducing poverty, ensuring food security and accelerating sustainable economic development in Asal areas.
The DP said it was unfortunate that after three years the funds had only been used to buy vehicles and pay allowances for people sitting in offices.
"The Drought Resilience and Sustainable Livelihood Programme was signed in 2012 and for the last three years money has been available, but unfortunately very little has happened.
"We are very concerned because this is a project where billions have been made available by the Government and AfDB to achieve a number of issues," he said.
Ruto was meeting key stakeholders from the Agriculture ministry and county executives from Samburu, Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Isiolo and Marsabit counties.
"We cannot subject the people of our country to unnecessary suffering when we have money, resources and a programme to help alleviate some challenges faced by pastoralists," he reiterated.
He said the State had signed a deal with the Polish Government to provide Sh1.1 billion to the six counties to pay for milk coolers, artificial insemination kits, honey processing plants and cold storage for meat.
AfDB Regional Director Gabriel Negatu raised concern on the project, saying other countries had moved to stage two while Kenya lagged behind.
"This is a shared concern that we have as a bank and the Government of Kenya and we ask that the procurement process be followed through, contracts get signed and move forward," he said.
Other leaders present were Livestock Principal Secretary Fred Segor, Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok and MPs Alois Lentoimaga (Samburu North), Jonathan Lati (Samburu West) Grace Kipchoim (Baringo South), Sammy Mwaita (Baringo Central), William Cheptumo (Baringo North), Moses Lessonet (Eldama Ravine), Samuel Moroto (Kapenguria) and David Pkosing (South Pokot).
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