NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 25 – Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has appealed to Kenyans of goodwill to contribute a percentage of their salaries as a way to help in the nation’s drought relief efforts.
Speaking during the launch of the national steering committee on drought response Gachagua pleaded with Kenyans and other stakeholders to offer support them in protecting the lives of those affected.
Gachagua noted that many people have entirely lost their livelihoods and coping mechanisms and are dependent significantly on assistance to meet their basic requirements.
The protracted drought is a clear representation of the effects of global warming and climate change.
He stated that they will provide a paybill number for the Kenyans to channel their contributions to help aid in the process of rescuing those affected by the drought.
“We appeal to Kenyans of goodwill to contribute a percentage of their salaries to a PAY Bill NUMBER we shall be publishing soon,” he said.
“Already, our men and women in the Kenya Defense Forces have offered to forego a day’s salary to contribute to the response kitty. The National Youth Service has also made their contribution.”
He also appealed to the Kenyans in food-surplus counties to make their contributions through the office of the governors and the county commissioners and the latter to work with the taskforce unveiled today in distributing the contributed foods to the affected areas in the country.
The second in command has also asked the media to make a financial or in-kind contribution in terms of airtime and newspaper space to popularize the appeal and the paybill number that will be provided.
“There will be no parallel pay bill and means of making contributions to this appeal other than through the official channels outlined herein,’ he said.
“We are warning cartels who may take advantage of this initiative. We will catch you.”
