Ministry of Special Program wants more allocation of funds from the government in order to manage disasters occurring in different regions of the country.
The Minister for Special Programmes Esther Murugi said allocation of KES 100 million this financial year is not enough to tackle the different disasters taking place in different areas of the republic.
She said her Ministry requires more funds in order to make her work successfully in helping Kenyans who fall victim to disasters.
“We need a lot of funds in my Ministry because those affected turn to our ministry to be helped.
"That is why we urge the government to give us more funds so that we can be able to assist needy Kenyans affected by disasters like the flood which has displaced thousands across the country,” she asserted.
She said the country is frequented by several disasters including fires, flood, landslides among others adding that all that need much attention from her Ministry which is poorly funded.
Murugi made the remarks recently at Garashi location in Magarini constituency when she toured the flood affected area to asses the situation.
“Many people have been rendered homeless in several parts of the country because of the flood caused by heavy rain pounding high areas of the country and they need food and other social amenities to sustain them from my Ministry,” she added.
She said her Ministry will stop depending from Donors and well wishers in assisting disaster affected people if the governments allocate enough funds.
“If the government allocates enough fund to our Ministry the issue of staring at well-wishers and Donors to assist us whenever there is disaster will cease to exist,” she added.
“Disaster management is not only giving food to victims of disaster but by taking safety precautions, relocating disaster victims as well as giving other non food items among others so you can see which role our Ministry is supposed to play,” she asserted.
She said her Ministry will avail food to over 2000 flood victims in Magarini the area by early next week.
“We are here to assess the situation and see how many people were affected and then I report back to President Mwai Kibaki so that our Ministry can be allocated fund for this problem. But as for now I promise by early next week food will be availed and distributed to you here,” she said.
Her tour comes barely three days after thousands of families were rendered homeless after flood evicted them when River Sabaki broke its banks due to the ongoing rains in up country.
On Sunday Minister for Fisheries Development Amason Jefa Kingi who is also Magarini Member of parliament visited the area and promised that the government would provide food and other social amenities to the affected locals.
Already Coast Water Board and Red Cross Society of Kenya North Coast region have distributed nets, food, water and blankets among other things
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