The Government, through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), has committed Ksh. 338,620,500 under the Hunger Safety Net Programme HSNP for 119,406 needy and vulnerable Kenyans.
Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano says the cash targets households in Marsabit, Wajir, Mandera Turkana, Samburu, Isiolo, Garissa and Tana River counties to cushion them against drought shocks.
Miano says each household will receive Kshs 2,700 being routine and regular disbursements for the month of July.
The targeted counties are among the hardest hit by throught that lasted four consecutive failed rain seasons. The sustained drought undermined livelihoods and community coping mechanisms making the communities identified for cash disbursements markedly vulnerable.
In addition, these counties are ranked the poorest and most susceptible to drought related shocks besides having the lowest Human Development Index (HDI).
She says the cash disbursements under the Hunger Say Net Programme are part of the larger Kenya Social and Economic Inclusion Project (KSEIP) implemented by the Government. The other cash transfers under KSEIP are Older Persons Cash Transfer (OPCT), Persons with Severe Disabilities (PWSD) and Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) under the umbrella of Inua Jamii programme.
Miano says beneficiaries will begin receiving disbursements on 25th September 2023 through Equity and KCB Bank Agents and branches within their regions.
The onset of the 2023 March and May long rains posted varying results across the country.
Cumulative rainfall amounts were gerally near average/ average between 75% and 125% of the long-term average in the northern and southern Rift Valley, coastal and central parts of the country.
Across the rest of the country, particularly the northern and caster parts, above average (above 125% of the LTA) was received. However, parts of southern Kajiado received below average rains (below 75% of the LTA).
Last Financial year the Government disbursed over Ksh. 3.6 billion in cash transfers under HSNP.
Beneficiaries with pending concerns such as Change of recipient and ID update are advised to visit the nearest Equity and KCB bank branches to regularize their details in readiness for payments.