Wajir MCAs in Malindi to draft Disaster Risk Management Bill

Members of the Wajir County Assembly have started the process of formulating a bill that will enhance the local government’s capacity to deal with emergencies. 

Members of the Public Service, Labour and Decentralized Unit Committee and the Technical Staff of the Department of Public Service and Special Programs are also part of discussion on the Wajir County Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Bill, 2023 at Ocean Beach Hotel and Spa, Malindi.

The bill seeks to establish structures for the management of disasters and emergencies by promoting co-operation amongst agencies with a role in disaster management, and enhancing their capacities to maintain the provision of essential services, including psychological services, during periods of disaster and emergencies. 

Wajir county is one of the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) of Kenya located in the North Eastern region of Kenya. 

The bill also establishes the County Disaster Risk Management Structure including the County DRM Committee , the directorate, the stakeholder forms and their functions which shall be under the direction of the County DRM Committee.

Once approved, the bill seeks to establish disaster risk management fund and outline sources for fund.

The bill will be subjected to public participation in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya 2010, The County Governments Act, 2012 and the County Assembly Standing Orders.

The County experiences frequent drought episodes especially from June to September, which impact negatively livestock and crop farming, education, nutrition, and access to water and pasture.
On the other hand, the county also experiences flash floods which damage infrastructure and destroys life.