JWAYA: State should focus on reducing high cost of living

The government should focus on reducing the rising cost of living which has left so many Kenyans suffering especially in the Northern parts due to drought.

Failed rains have been blamed.

The government has focused on other solutions like providing fertilisers at a cheaper price which may not be the best solution to rescue Kenyans, especially from drought-stricken regions.

Drought and food management provides a solid base to help governments rethink policies.

This also helps reformulate preparedness and response plans by offering solutions that take into account each county's specific context.

Providing emergency food assistance, access to water, and fodder, and creating jobs are the most common approaches adopted by the region's governments when supporting drought-stricken populations.   

Although preventing or mitigating drought impacts can be cheaper than providing drought relief, this does not necessarily translate into action through planning, budget allocations and changes in the institutions' behaviour, even though these are essential to saving lives and alleviating hunger.     

They also have several limitations as they do not help vulnerable populations become more resilient to future shocks.

Many countries do not have a structure dedicated to drought and drought action plans.

Coordination at the highest levels of government when planning measures to curb drought also needs reinforcing.

Lodwar

Edited by Kiilu Damaris