State bets on new initiative to end drought disasters

A veterinary doctor vaccinates animals. The Government has previously launched vaccination campaigns to protect livestock from harsh drought conditions. [PICTURE:FILE]

The Government has launched a programme designed to end drought emergencies in Kenya, according to James Oduor, the National Drought Management Authority chief executive officer.

He says that the economic cost of drought between 2008 and 2011 left a trail of damage that cost a whopping Sh1.2 billion ($12.1 million), a worrying scenario they hope to address in the new programme. Mr Oduor adds that droughts regularly affect between 1.5 to 3.5 million Kenyans.