Turkana and Marsabit will get Sh2.3 billion from the Germany government to mitigate the effects of drought in the northern Kenya counties.
Water PS Fred Segor said the counties would be in charge of executing these projects while the national government would play an oversight role.
“The county governments be fully involved in the implementation of the programme where they will be expected to select and plan for their preferred investments in the areas of water harvesting and storage, irrigation, animal health and fodder production,” he said.
The amount, which comprises a loan and a grant, will be used in water harvesting, livestock management and fodder production to avert animal and human deaths.
The Programme funding includes Sh916 million by the German Development Cooperation, which will go to Marsabit while the finance grant of Sh1.48 billion that is a part of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development will support the wider Karamajong Cluster in Turkana.
The programme is one of the outcomes of a bilateral meeting between Kenya and Germany in Berlin six years ago.
During the meeting, the two countries agreed to initiate a project aimed at enhancing drought resilience and climate change adaptive capacities of the agro-pastoral production systems and livelihoods in selected areas of Turkana and Marsabit counties.
Marsabit Governor Mohamud Mohamed Ali said the funds would go a long way in helping the county that has for years suffered the effects of droughts.
“We are grateful to our partners because these funds will play a major role in mitigating the effects of drought.
Turkana County boss Josphat Nanok said inadequate water and famine had severely affected the residents and their livestock.
“Turkana is one of the counties that has had serious water problems but now we are sure that this money will go a long way in helping communities there,” he said.
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