The Cabinet Secretary for EAC, the ASALs and Regional Development, Hon. Rebecca Miano, has today informed Senators that Igamba-Ng’ombe Sub-County in Tharaka Nithi County hasn’t been declassified as an ASAL area. 

While appearing before the Senate Committee on National Cohesion, Equal Opportunity and Regional Integration led by Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute, the Cabinet Secretary told the Members of the Committee that the Ministry isn’t aware of any declassification of the sub-county. 

She added that her Ministry uses the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization’s (KARLO) Aridity Index Study to classify regions as Arid, Semi-Arid or Non-Arid in Kenya.

“Based on the KARLO’S Study, Tharaka Nithi has over 50% of its land mass that’s classified as Arid and Semi-Arid area. Igamba-Ng’ombe Subcounty is one of the locations in the county which constitutes the ASALs,” Hon. Miano said. 

On their part, the Members of the Committee raised concerns about the non-payment of hardship allowance to civil servants in the sub-county despite it being classified as a hardship area, and asked the Cabinet Secretary to look into the matter. 

“Although you have indicated that Igamba-Ng’ombe sub-county hasn’t been declassified, declassification is there because the civil servants from the area aren’t paid hardship allowance. You should look into that matter,” Senator Gataya said. 

Hon Miano was appearing before the Committee to respond to a Request for a Statement by Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya on the Declassification of Igamba-Ng’ombe Sub-County in Tharaka Nithi as an Arid and Semi-Arid Area.