60,000 families in Mandera to receive food supplies

Other beneficiaries considered are boarding secondary schools, special needs groups, special needs schools and registered orphanage centres.

Mandera County Commissioner Onesmus Kyatha was also present during the flagging off of the relief food.

President William Ruto recently announced release of Sh2 billion to mitigate the effects of drought in some 23 counties.

According to the governor, the country has lost livestock worth Sh11 billion.

"We have lost over 365,000 cattle, 30,000 donkeys, 500,000 goats and 160,000 camels. The monetary value of livestock lost is over Sh11 billion, equivalent to our annual allocation from the national government," he said

According to Rapid Assessment Conducted by Kenya Food Security Steering Group, 500,000 people have been left in dire need of emergency relief food and water.

Drought has disrupted learning as students miss classes to accompany their parents in the search of food and water. Kalif said many schools were having difficulties feeding students because parents were not paying fees.

The food distribution begins today.