Kisumu to benefit from a Sh40 billion food security programme

Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathew Owili. [Michael Mute, Standard]

Kisumu is among ten counties set to benefit from a Sh40 billion Integrated Natural Resource Management programme that seeks to improve livelihoods through environmental conservation and food security.

The International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD) is funding Sh17 billion of the 8-year programme while a consortium of other donors is providing the rest.

Kisumu Deputy Governor, Mathew Owili met a delegation from IFAD, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Ministry of Water, Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change, and the National Treasury over the project.

Other Counties in the programme are Kakamega, Nandi, West Pokot, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Migori, Kericho and Homa Bay.

Speaking at the County Headquarters where he met the delegation on behalf of the Governor, Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, Dr Owili said Kisumu was ready to implement the program.

He said the programme would improve the people's livelihoods and help increase agricultural production, food value addition, and environmental conservation as an intervention against the vagaries of climate change.

"We thank IFAD and other development partners for including Kisumu in this program. We will effectively play our role to make it a success," said Owili.

Similarly, IFAD's Kenya Country Director, Mariatu Kamara said the program will prioritise food security, irrigation, conservation of forests as water towers, and milk production.

The programme is meant to scale up the results of previous IFAD interventions, especially on the conservation of water towers that neighbours Kisumu and other Counties.