The Departmental Committee on Regional Development Chaired by Hon. Peter Lochakapong today met the Cabinet Secretary  for the East African Community,Arid and Semi Arid Lands and  Regional Development  Ms. Rebecca Miano. The CS appeared before the Committee to respond to questions by Members of Parliament.

Responding to a question by Hon. Umul Kassin (Mandera County) on what measures the Government is putting in place to help  the people of Mandera County who have been suffering prolonged drought, Ms. Miano stated that the Government has been and will continue to support ASALs by ensuring relief food is delivered to people living in the affected areas as a way to safeguards lives. 

Additionally, Members sought to know from the CS what the Government was doing  to ensure there is a long term solution to drought in the country. In response the CS informed Members that the Government is constructing dams in order to harvest rain water which can be used during the dry season. “ The Government has embarked on construction of dams in identified areas to harvest rain water and this will be a permanent solution to the issues of water scarcity,” Said Miano.

Hon. Lochakapong asked the CS to work closely with the Committee to ensure all matters that are within their mandate are expedited with ease and there is smooth delivery of service to the people of Kenya.