Uhuru says drought a national disaster, orders ministries to take swift action and help the needy

Camels seek for pasture in Moyale, Marsabit County where drought has adversely affected the pastoralist’s community due to failed rains. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday declared drought affecting parts of the country a national disaster.

The President instructed the National Treasury and the Ministry of Interior to spearhead government efforts to assist affected households, including water and relief food distribution as well as livestock uptake.

This directive follows a meeting between the President and 85 leaders from Kenya's Arid and Semi Arid Lands (Asal) led by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani.

State House, in a statement yesterday, said the government's comprehensive drought mitigation measures will be unveiled in due course.

Meanwhile, the President will today receive his visiting Estonian counterpart Kersti Kaljulaid for a three day visit.

Uhuru will receive the Estonian leader at State House this afternoon and then, together with their delegations, proceed to discuss subjects of mutual interest to Kenya and the Baltic country.

The visit by President Kaljulaid will be the first official visit by an Estonian president to Kenya.

The State House statement said they would share a detailed itinerary.

Last year, it was reported that Estonia was planning to open an embassy in 2022.

This would be the second Estonian embassy in Africa after the one in Egypt which has been operating since 2010. The plan for the new embassy was revealed in Estonia's Regional Strategy for Africa 2020-2030.

The strategy allows for continued representation in the African Union in Ethiopia and for sending an Estonian national expert to the European Union delegation, preferably in Kenya.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also intends to support Estonian diplomats in running for the European Union Foreign Service in Africa, intensify the exchange of diplomats with the other member states and increase Estonia's participation in civilian missions in Africa.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intends to continue expanding the network of honorary consuls in African countries.

In sub-Saharan Africa, non-resident Estonian ambassadors have been appointed to Ethiopia and Mali.