Quick action urged on crisis

File | NATION
Flood victims at Elelea in Lokori, Turkana East District, wait for their relief rations distributed by the Kenya Red Cross Society early last year. Thousands face starvation in parts of the country due to prolonged drought.

What you need to know:

  • Minister wants relief food programme set up to counter effects of the long drought

An assistant minister on Monday asked the government to put in place measures to mitigate against looming hunger in drought-prone areas.

Higher Education assistant minister Asman Kamama said that hundreds of people in the arid areas of Baringo, Turkana, Marsabit and Isiolo were in danger of starvation.

He urged the Ministry of Special Programmes to set up a relief food programme to counter the effects of the long drought.

In Marsabit North, more than 1,000 pupils may not report to school for first term as their parents have migrated to Ethiopia in search of pasture for livestock.

Among the affected schools are Balesa and Turbi, which might lose 380 and 290 children if the situation does not change, said district education officer Simon Kimani.

Others affected by the ravaging drought are El Adi, Gawole and Forole primary schools. They have pupil population of 170, 136 and 140 respectively.

In the semi-arid Mwea division, more than 60,000 people face starvation due to crop failure.

Maize and beans, which constitute the area’s staple food, have dried up due to the failure of the short rains.

Most affected areas are South-Ngariama, Murinduko, Kanjinji, Kiumbu, Marurumo, Ndindiruku and Rukanga.

In Baringo, Mr Kamama said that the hot weather had already wiped out pasture and the villagers could lose their livestock, which is their main source of livelihood.

Speaking in Nakuru, he said almost all water sources had dried up in the affected areas and that the situation could get worse in the coming months.

The Sunday Nation reported last week the grave situation in Marsabit where two people died because of hunger. Hundreds of animals have reportedly died.

Pastoralists in the area have shifted to Merti district while others have crossed into southern Ethiopia with their livestock as drought ravages the region.

Reported by Noah Cheploen, Hassan Huka and George Munene