The Cabinet, on Tuesday, November 29, resolved to forego their one-month salary in solidarity with all Kenyans affected by the ongoing drought.
President William Ruto chaired the meeting at State House Nairobi, where the CSs agreed to donate the money towards the ongoing State interventions to curb the menace.
“Cabinet was apprised of the progress made in addressing the effects of the ongoing drought in parts of the country.
“The meeting hailed the growing partnership between the State, Development Partners and the nation’s private sector that is taking place under the auspices of the National Steering Committee on Drought Response,” a despatch issued by Cabinet read.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had urged Kenyans to donate part of their salaries towards drought intervention measures.
Kenyans have continued using M-PESA PayBill 880990 USE YOUR NAME as the account number or through the bank account – National Drought Mitigation Appeal Fund Kenya Commercial Bank, Riverside Branch, ACC. NO. 1305486137,” he added.
One of the key issues that was further discussed was the high cost of maize flour, which is currently trading between Ksh180 – Ksh210 for a 2-Kg packet.
“As part of the long-term measures to address the cyclic drought situation and the cost of living, Cabinet assessed the food supply situation in the country.
“The meeting noted that the cost of the nation’s staple food, maize, remains unacceptably high,” Cabinet noted.
It thus agreed to prioritise the sale of local maize to boost farmers’ income and increase the supply of the commodity in the market.
Farmers were estimated to produce nearly 30 million bags of maize in 2022. Nonetheless, the government will import 10 million bags to cover the deficit of 15 million bags.
“In recognition of the annual consumption trends of about 45 million bags of maize, and mindful of the solemn duty of the State to secure the affordability of basic food items, the deficit arising from the lower than expected domestic yields will be bridged through the importation of 10 million bags of maize.
“The importation by the private sector will commence in February 2023, and it shall be incentivized by way of a customs duty waiver,” Cabinet agreed.
Fertilisers will continue trading at Ksh3,500 to boost food production and help bring down the rising cost of living.
Other resolutions made in the Tuesday, November 29 meeting included a review of the 2023/24 budget proposal set to anchor the implementation of Kenya Kwanza’s economic recovery plan.
Cabinet shifted focus to increasing employment, more equitable distribution of income, and social security, expanding the tax revenue base, and increasing foreign exchange earnings.
It also ratified the launch of the Hustlers Fund, set to be launched on Wednesday, November 30.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE