This archive report was first published on 27 December 2019.
December 27, 2019
Kenya is facing a severe food crisis due to perennial drought, affecting several regions and leaving many without access to food.
The US government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAid) Office of Food for Peace (FFP), has provided food aid valued at approximately Ksh340 million ($3.4 million) to support the country's efforts to address food insecurity.
The aid, which includes 18,300 metric tonnes of food assistance, will be distributed by the World Food Programme (WFP) to over 390,000 beneficiaries in nine arid counties: Turkana, Baringo, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, and Tana River.
US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter stated, "The United States is committed to addressing the needs of Kenyans suffering as a result of devastating drought and severe food insecurity in the northern and eastern regions of the country."
He added, "USA Marafiki will continue these and other efforts to build resilience in Kenya to best support our Kenyan friends on their path to self-reliance."
The food aid is part of the US government's larger support to Kenya for food security relief and long-term resilience building among vulnerable Kenyans, which totalled almost Ksh10.2 billion ($102 million) in 2019.
