Development partners have stepped in and partnered with the government to address the food security issues in the country by donating grains which are to be shared to drought stricken areas. The development partners include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP), The European Union (EU), Ukrainian government, among others. The government received two consignments of wheat from the Ukrainian government and sorghum from the US government through the USAID to help in efforts towards countering famine. The UN Resident Coordinator Dr Steven Jackson said that there is a symbolic and materialistic importance of what the partnership between the country and the development partners is marking. ‘Contribution by the WFP, at least 16,000 metric tons of sorghum has been donated by the US government through USAID which is enough to feed half a million Kenyans for over four months,’ he said. Jackson added that the US government is also providing about 80 percent of humanitarian assistance going to the drought ravaged parts of the country. The East African Community, the ASAL and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Ms. Rebecca Miano welcomed the donation and congratulated the good gesture by the donors as the country is facing acute drought due to failed rains. Speaking during the handover ceremony of the grains, Miano said the support will boost food security in the country. ‘We are here to witness development partners’ support in food security in Kenya; we have received grains from Ukraine put together by about eight countries and also received sorghum from USAID. We are looking forward to full support from our partners in handling food security issues. With this consignment, those affected will have food in a few days,’ she said. She added that the development partners are valuable friends to Kenya and the country will work closely with them for the benefit of Kenyans especially in Arid and Semi-Arid lands where there is an acute shortage of food. On his part, Cabinet Secretary for Transport Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen thanked the development partners for standing up with the country at this critical time in the country. Murkomen said that the Ministry of Transport will work to ensure that they make the Mombasa port and other infrastructural areas very efficient and friendly to investors. ‘I am very happy that there is food that we can distribute to our people that are in need, on the other side I am sad that sixty years after independence we still need support to feed our people. I believe the government will put to an end this type of approach so that our partnership is mutual,’ he said. Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director Captain William Ruto lauded the government and the development partners for the partnership to provide food to those affected by hunger. Ruto also called for the improved efficiency of the port facility by the government saying the automation of cargo processes will help in boosting the economy. The event was graced by the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Ambassador of US, Ukraine Ambassador, the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway, Ambassador of Kingdom of Belgium, Ambassador of the Italian Republic, Ambassador of the Swiss Confederation, Ambassador of the Czech Republic, First Secretary Food Security and Water Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Head of Mission Honorary Consulate of Slovakia and the UN Resident Coordinator.
Source: Kenya News Agency