Kenya sets up team to mitigate drought effects

NAIROBI, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Kenyan President William Ruto on Monday established a 15-member private sector-led committee to help respond to the ravaging drought.

Ruto said in a gazette notice that the team will augment government efforts to alleviate the effects of drought.

He said the committee that comprises corporate titans will come up with interventions such as cash transfer programs to protect affected populations from the effects of drought.

"Kenya, like other nations in the Horn of Africa, has experienced unexpected low rainfall resulting in drought and crop failure," Ruto said.

Kenya is one of the countries in the Horn of Africa experiencing one of the worst droughts in recent times. Over four million people are facing starvation in Kenya, especially in the arid and semi-arid lands, according to the National Drought Management Authority.