Marsabit steps up El Niño preparedness as County warns emergency funds may fall short

By Samuel Kosgei

The Marsabit County Government has said preparations to mitigate the effects of the anticipated El Niño rains are in full swing, with various departments putting in place measures to prevent potential damage.

Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo said the Department of Agriculture has planned to procure suitable seeds for some farmers, while the Department of Health is preparing to ensure adequate supplies of medicine.

He said other county departments are also advancing preparedness efforts within their respective sectors.

Gubo, however, noted that the county expects to utilize KSh100 million from its emergency fund to respond to any impacts arising from the El Niño rains, but warned that the amount may not be sufficient because no specific budget has been allocated for the phenomenon.

According to the deputy governor, the Department of County Administration will have to use its allocation to address challenges that may emerge during the rainy season.

At the same time, Gubo dismissed claims that the KSh1.04 billion expected by Marsabit County from the German Development Bank (KfW) is intended for El Niño response.

He clarified that the funding is aimed at strengthening community resilience to drought and climate change, and is not meant for addressing an El Niño emergency.

The programme, which has been implemented since 2018, seeks to enhance community resilience and improve the livelihoods of residents who largely depend on livestock and environmental resources.

Meanwhile, Marsabit County Commissioner Stanley Kamande said the national government has set aside relief food supplies that will be deployed in the event of an emergency caused by the El Niño rains.

Kamande said the reserve includes 22,900 bags of rice and an equal number of bags of beans.