The County Government of West Pokot has set aside Ksh.50 million for El Nino emergencies as part of the county begins to experience short rains.
It has dispatched drugs worth 36 million to various health facilities within the county and is negotiating with health partners to ensure enough long lasting insecticides treated nets are distributed to every household for malaria prevention.
Speaking in his office, West Pokot County deputy governor Titus Lotee said they have drafted a contingency plan which will be used during the anticipated El – Nino season.
Lotee is the officer in charge of the Ministry of Inter – government Coordination, Peace Building and Disaster Management.
He said the County Government in conjunction with Ministry of Health has already distributed house hold water treatment products to prevent water borne diseases.
“Our public health officers have already sensitized the community and dispersed water guard to cholera hotspot areas such as Tapach, Karon, Nachecheyet, Arpolo and Murpus.” Said Lotee.
He said the drainage system within Makutano town has been cleared and some roads are already under renovation.
“Roads users should not worry during this rainy reason because the county government is putting
in place adequate measures to ensure transport is not paralyzed.” He said
Following frequent lighting attacks the county government will install lightning arresters in highland areas like Lelan to avert deaths.
He urged the residents to ensure drainage systems in their homestead are cleared to avoid breeding of mosquitoes which will end up infecting malaria.
He advised lowland residents to take the advantage of the El Nino rains and plant short term crops that will assist them during the dry spell.
“Those living in North Pokot and Sigor constituencies should plant crops that take three months to mature. Like; beans, maize and millet and also be prepared to harvest water for domestic use.” He told the residents.
Equally the residents of North Pokot Sub County are happy that this year they may not be forced to migrate as far as Uganda in search of pastures and water if the county experiences the rains bearing in mind that 70% of the county experienced total crop failure this year.