Thousands in 10 districts stare hunger in the face

• Baringo East, Samburu and at least eight other neighbouring districts' residents have no food.
• At least four people said to have died of hunger related complications at Chemagit Location, Mondi Division.
• Government maintains that no one has died of hunger in the country and that food assessment report is due to be released next week.
• Baringo, East Pokot districts have experienced one of the worst droughts this year with people now eating wild fruits boiled for 12 hours.

Residents of Baringo East, Samburu and at least eight other neighbouring districts have no food.

But the government says action has been taken to ensure no one dies of hunger in the affected districts, even as reports indicate several people have already perished.

Special Programmes permanent secretary Ali Mohammed says Sh850 million has been spent on relief supplies in the districts that are mainly inhabited by pastoralists.

The PS says the Government has identified East Pokot, Turkana, Baringo North, Moyale, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit and Samburu districts as the worst hit.

He said more action would be taken once the Government released an in-depth report on famine situation later this week.

The PS, Baringo East MP Asman Kamama and Red Cross chief Abbas Gullet spoke in East Pokot where seven trucks carrying 400 metric tones of foodstuff were flagged off for the district at the weekend.

And Sh15m has been spent to alleviate looming disaster in East Pokot alone, in the last three months, added Mr Mohammed

Mr Anthony Mwangi, Kenya Red Cross public relations officer said some 1,246 metric tons of food, including 20 tons of unimix and 25 tons of cooking fat has been delivered to Baringo East. Baringo Central and North will receive their rations next week, he said on Monday.

Mr Mwangi said the Red Cross was targeting 84,000 most affected families by the famine that has hit the region seven months. The areas are in the lowlands of Kimondis, Ewalel, Arabal and Mukutani in Baringo Central, he added.

Most parts of Baringo East, a survey by the charity organisation says, is ravaged by famine, with parts of Barwessa, Kipsereman and Bartabwa divisions of Baringo North also affected. “The situation is not good,” Mr Mwangi said. “These people need to help.” But this will only target vulnerable families, he said.

Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita said Monday that pupils and students had dropped out of school due to hunger, and described their plight as worrying.

“Absenteeism has increased alarmingly because most pupils do not get food at homes, those who attend school can’t concentration on studies due to hunger, the MP said.

He expressed fears that performance in the district might drop drastically this year, adding that 21,000 pupils in 78 primary schools removed from the expanded school feeding programme in September last year were the most affected, while eight secondary schools in the district were experiencing serious fees non-payment due to the drought.

The drought has also affected livestock prices, with a cow that was costing Sh10,000 three months ago now fetching only Sh2,000 while a goat selling at Sh1,000.

District commissioner