Kenya to host international conference on drought

Written By:PPS,    Posted: Thu, Jul 28, 2011

The ordered further measures to complement the 10 billion shillings earlier allocated towards the purchase of food for the needy The Cabinet has further reviewed the food situation in the country and the horn of Africa. Meeting at State House Nairobi Thursday under the Chairmanship of President Mwai Kibaki, the cabinet agreed that Kenya will host an international conference to address the drought and food crises in the horn of Africa. The dates of the meeting will be agreed upon with regional and international partners. The conference will among other things seek to find immediate and long term solutions to the needs of the people that have been affected by the drought; Emergency food requirements for the 14 million people requiring food relief in the horn of Africa; Support for the opening of feeding camps inside Somalia in order to stop the influx of refugees to neighbouring countries especially Kenya. The other are to discuss the medium and long term measures needed to mitigate the negative effects of climate change in the region and to address the social, health and security matters that have compounded the food crises. On the local front cabinet ordered further measures to complement the 10 billion shillings earlier allocated towards the purchase of food for the needy. In this regard Cabinet directed that the food availed for the needy should be distributed more efficiently and reach all affected parts of the country. The National Youth Service and military will be deployed to augment the ongoing distribution efforts. Cabinet also noted that substantial maize imports have already arrived in the country while maize harvest in the South Rift has already began. This maize will be available for purchase by the NCPB for purchase as relief food to bolster the strategic grain reserves. Thursday's Cabinet meeting also approved the following bills that will be forwarded to parliament. First, the Commission on Revenue Allocation Bill 2011 which seeks to give effect to the commission on revenue allocation which is already in place. The bill elaborates on the functions of the commission as stipulated in the constitution and also facilitates the effective functioning of the commission. The functions of the commission include the determination of the sharing of revenue between the national and county governments as well as the financing of county governments. Second, the National Payments Bill 2010. The principle object of the bill is to modernize and provide for regulation and supervision of payment systems to service providers. This will enable Kenya's payment systems to comply with the Bank of International Settlements core principles and enhance Central Bank powers to oversee payment systems in the country. Thirdly, the Kenya Deposits Insurance Corporation Bill 2011. The object of the bill is to align deposit insurance policies and operations in order to attain efficiency and effectiveness in the provision of financial safety nets, enhance the management of the liquidation process and secure the interests of policy holders. The meeting also approved the ratification and domestication of the African Charter on values and principles of public service and administration. The overall objective of the charter is to support public administration in the implementation of reforms, codes and standards aimed at improving service delivery.