Israeli help sought in war on hunger

The government has unveiled a plan to avert perennial food shortages in Northern Kenya.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga said Kenya had engaged the Israeli government to help replicate the irrigation methods applied in the Middle East country.

He said a feasibility study into farming prospects in Turkana County indicated that more than 10,000 acres of land could be put under irrigated food production.

Mr Odinga told Lodwar residents that plans to tap water from the Omo River for irrigation in Tondenyang area were at an advanced stage.

“We have to pull away from rain-fed agriculture and embark on irrigation to make inroads in the war on hunger,” he said.

The PM, who is on a two-day tour of the North Rift, had earlier presided over the opening of an ODM office in the town.

He also announced plans to build the road from Kitale to Lokichar through Lodwar and Nadapal and on to South Sudan.

“We plan to establish a resort city in Lodwar to attract tourism as we undertake oil exploration in the region,” he said.

Public funds

The PM, however, regretted that the country remained underdeveloped because past regimes squandered public funds at the expense of development.

Meanwhile, Belgut MP Charles Keter has told off his Gwassi counterpart John Mbadi for claiming that he is supporting deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi in his bid to win the ODM presidential nomination race.

Mr Keter, who is among MPs who have shifted their alliance to the United Republican Party led by Eldoret North MP William Ruto, said that his political position was well known.