MP calls for prudent use of funds 'allocated' for El-Nino mitigation

By Peter Ochieng

Belgut Member of Parliament (MP) Nelson Koech has expressed his dissatisfaction with the work of the Kenya Meteorological Department.

The department had predicted a four month El-Nino rains from October, 2023 to January, 2024.

That has however been scaled down to heavy rains.

MP Koech, appearing on Citizen TV's morning show wondered where the department had gotten information that the country would experience El-Nino rains.

He said funds that had been allocated to mitigate effects of El-Nino rains must be put into good use.

"I don't know where the Kenya Meteorological Department got the information about El Nino. Since money had been allocated for emergency preparations, its important to ensure there's prudent use of those resources," said the MP.

The government previously stated that it needs Sh10 billion to mitigate effects of El-Nino rains.

On Sunday, during a church service in Nairobi, president William Ruto said the heavy rains will not be destructive as opposed to how the situation would have been in the event of El-Nino rains.

"Recently, you heard reports that we may experience El-Nino rains that could destroy property. But God is good, you have heard those people again say we will not have El-Nino rains. They have said we will only have heavy rainfall but even so, it will not reach destructive levels,” he stated.

“And even with the anticipated short rains, we have also put in place plans to ensure farmers get bumper harvest by January or February next year.”

The Head of State said said that yo date, a total of 44 million bags of maize have been harvested, with an extra 45% of produce expected this year.

He linked the bumper harvest to the good rains witnessed across the country this year, alongside subsidised fertilizer and seeds distributed to farmers by the Kenya Kwanza administration.