Residents of six counties from Northern Kenya have supported the establishment of a national risk management fund following public participation held in Isiolo Thursday.
During a meeting to sensitize members on the proposed draft on public finance management, (the disaster risk management fund regulations 2024), most of the contributors expressed views and recommendations to enrich the proposed draft regulation.
Assets and liabilities Director at the National Treasury, Mr. Geoffrey Malombe who was the team leader, said the treasury will engage the public on the draft bill through conducting series of meetings countrywide between December 2 and 11, this year to ensure inclusivity in developing a robust disaster management framework.
He said the draft regulations will ensure the establishment of Disaster Risk Management Fund (DRMF) with a view to enhance the country’s preparedness and response to disasters, reduce vulnerabilities and mitigate fiscal and economic losses.
He revealed that the regulation would also address the issue of management, access and apportionment of the fund’s resources, challenges faced and provide a sustainable funding mechanism.
Mr. Malombe said the government was fast tracking the finalization of the Disaster Risk Management Bill No. 24 of 2023 which seeks to provide a permanent framework for disaster risk management coordination in the country.
The members of public said DRMF regulations could strengthen disaster preparedness, improve resilience and minimize adverse effects of disasters with the stakeholders involved having defined roles and standby budget that would help in efficient responses within 24 hours.
At the same time, the participants appealed for reduction of the age requirement for the appointees in the DRMF’s board chairman and members, that calls for 10 years of experience since it would lock out many of the young.
By David Nduro