Cabinet Secretaries to forgo one month salaries in support of drought relief efforts » Capital News

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 29 – Cabinet Secretaries are set to forgo their one month salaries in support of drought relief efforts.

The resolution was arrived at during the third meeting by the country’s apex organ Tuesday that was chaired by President William Ruto.

“In solidarity with all Kenyans affected by the ongoing drought, the meeting resolved that all Members will forgo one-month salary as their individual and collective contribution towards the ongoing State interventions that support all the Kenyans affected by the drought,” the Cabinet memo stated.

The Cabinet further resolved that 30 million bags harvested by farmers to be given market access priority.

It was also decided that private sector imports will start in Feb 2023.

“In recognition of the annual consumption trends of about 45
million bags of maize, and mindful of the solemn duty of the State to secure
the affordability of the basic food items; the deficit arising from the lower
than expected domestic yields will be bridged through the importation of 10
Million bags of maize,” the dispatch stated.

“The importation by the private sector will commence in February,2023 and it shall be incentivized by way of a customs duty waiver.”