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Governors call for increased funding to boost county disaster relief

Garissa Governor Nathif J. Adam in a consultative forum relating to refugee affairs. (Photo: (X/Nathif_J_Adam)

By Apollo Ochieng | 08 Feb 2024

In a statement, the Council of Governors said that counties were some of the worst-hit areas every time a disaster happened, hence the need to fund them well.

Governors have requested that additional cash be allocated to counties to assist with disaster relief efforts.

In a statement, the Council of Governors said that counties were some of the worst-hit areas every time a disaster happened, hence the need to fund them well.

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Garissa County governor Nathif Jama, who also chairs the Council of Governors Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Disaster Risk Management Committee, stated that inadequate funding for counties had hampered numerous relief operations after catastrophes.

"It is the county governments that find themselves in the first line of defence in this battle due to their proximity to the affected communities," said Governor Nathif.

The Garissa county boss on Thursday argued that disasters, especially those linked to climate change, presented unprecedented challenges to the nation and counties.

He stated that, while many counties are already playing varied roles in disaster mitigation in their areas, limited resources, policy gaps, centralized decision-making, and inefficient resource allocation at the national level are impeding some of these efforts.

"The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction estimate that disasters cause approximately $250 billion in economic losses globally each year. In Kenya, the recent prolonged drought resulted in over Sh40 billion in expenses," the governor said.

Council of Governors technical lead on agriculture and livestock development, Robert Kiteme on the other hand reaffirmed the pivotal role that counties play in disaster and disaster risk management.

"In the face of such adversity, the role of our counties as the first line of defence in disaster risk management becomes ever more critical.

"Our counties are not just administrative divisions, they are the frontlines where the impacts of these calamities are most acutely felt and where the response is most urgently needed," said Kiteme.

Governor Nathif has consequently requested that all parties, including national and county governments and partners, work together to build comprehensive, effective disaster risk management systems.

He underlined that catastrophe risk management is a dynamic process that must be constantly adjusted and improved.

"Counties are continually striving to enhance disaster risk management through initiatives such as setting up county command centres, strengthening human resources, resourcing for DRM, and improving collaboration and response times," he said.