The three-day visit of the USA’s first lady Jill Biden to Kenya has laid bare the effects of the prolonged drought in the nation. That has left over four million Kenyans starving due to shortages of food and water. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for food assistance has opted to salvage the situation by offering up to Sh15,978,060,000.

This support the USAID emphasized would be handy in solving the crisis as it will allow its partners to meet the urgent needs of approximately 1.3 million people across Kenya. The needs are to be met through food provision and cash-based assistance for families to purchase food staples, which will, in turn, support local economies.

“USAID will provide emergency food items such as sorghum, maize, yellow split peas, and vegetable oil for families living in areas where local markets are not functioning,” the statement read.

The dire situation keeps getting worse as the long-awaited rains are quite unforeseeable hence leaving the farmers stranded with plans of engaging in planting season this March. As much as the adults are suffering from hunger it’s important to note that the children and elderly are at higher risks in such times.

“USAID will also support programs to prevent and treat child malnutrition, as more than 970,000 children ages five and younger are acutely malnourished across the country,” the agency said.

Following the donation, President Ruto took to social media thanking the agency for its generation and considering the people who are in severe hardships for their assistance.

“On behalf of the people of Kenya, my profound gratitude to the government for this generous support to very deserving people suffering the worst drought due to 4 years consecutive failed rains,” he tweeted.

Insisting on the food production agenda he has solely stayed true to say that the government is focused on harvesting to enhance food and livestock production to manage climate change.