The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and response through a deeper partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), with a strong focus on data-driven and anticipatory action.
Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Ruku, said the State is moving away from reactive emergency responses towards a structured approach anchored on early warning systems, forecasting and timely decision-making.
Speaking after a meeting with Betty Ka at Harambee House, Ruku emphasized that investing in robust data systems will be key to ensuring faster and more effective interventions during disasters.
The discussions centered on ongoing drought response efforts and long-term strategies to build resilience among vulnerable communities increasingly exposed to climate shocks such as droughts and floods.
Ruku lauded World Food Programme for scaling up support through cash-based transfer programmes powered by mobile technology, noting that the approach not only improves efficiency in aid delivery but also boosts local economies.
He added that closer coordination with agencies such as the National Drought Management Authority and the Kenya Meteorological Department will strengthen policy formulation and budget planning.
Both parties underscored the need for anticipatory action—intervening before disasters strike—as a cost-effective and sustainable way of managing risks.
Ka reiterated WFP’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, noting that early interventions significantly reduce both humanitarian and economic losses.
She added that the agency is expanding its scope beyond drought response to include flood mitigation through water retention, irrigation, land restoration, and climate-smart agriculture programmes.
The government is also pushing to fast-track a comprehensive disaster management framework aimed at improving coordination and establishing a clear legal structure for response efforts.
To operationalize the partnership, the two sides agreed to form a joint technical team to identify priority areas, including scaling anticipatory action, strengthening digital relief systems and advancing disaster risk financing. A follow-up meeting is expected later this month to review progress.
Ruku maintained that partnerships with development agencies remain critical in delivering sustainable solutions and protecting livelihoods amid rising climate-related challenges.
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