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A High Court judge has challenged the National and County Governments to put enough mitigation measures in place in a bid to contain and protect the lives of Kenyans in the event of prolonged drought due to climate change.

The Judge says the two levels of government should not wait till the last minute for the country to experience as what is happening with the ongoing heavy rains.

The two levels of government, Land and Environment Court judge Joseph Kamau Mugo (pictured) of Nyamira said, should learn from mistakes of being unprepared which has resulted in heavy destruction and loss of lives brought on by ongoing heavy rains, to put in place measures that will protect citizen from prolonged drought if it occurs.

Caught unprepared

“The government has been caught unaware and unprepared over this matter of heavy rains and we don’t expect the same to happen in case the prolonged drought also knocks “Mugo said.

Addressing journalists in his office, Justice Mugo said the government should look for ways of harvesting water from the ongoing heavy downpour so that if there is a long spell of drought, the water will then help the starving Kenyans. “We expect the government to build more dams and put tanks reservoirs geared at harvesting water which is going to waste following the ongoing heavy rains which could be used in case severe drought strikes” he observed.

Mugo said the government should also seriously address food insecurity in the country in readiness for the prolonged drought should it occur.

He emphasised that elaborate plans should be made in advance to ensure food security for Kenyans in case of drought.