Today, I had the privilege of overseeing the second major relief operation of this financial year, as my government steps up to support our communities facing a biting drought.

The harsh drought has severely impacted livelihoods, food security, and access to clean water across the county. In response, today, we distributed 6,300 bags of rice and 3,100 bags of beans, reaching every one of our 20 wards. This initiative will benefit 20,000 households—approximately 130,000 people—providing critical support to families in need.

Access to water remains a priority. Since November, the Water Department has repaired 25 boreholes and continues to respond around the clock to emergency needs. Boreholes requiring major rehabilitation or new generators have been attended to, while new boreholes have been sunk to expand access.

Our dedicated Borehole Rapid Response Team (BRRT) is actively moving across all wards, addressing urgent water shortages and ensuring relief reaches the most vulnerable.

We sincerely thank the National Government and our development partners for their continued support during this difficult period. Together, we remain committed to safeguarding lives, sustaining communities, and mitigating the effects of this severe drought.