In Turkana, they live at the mercy of the elements

• Drought has killed thousands of animals and the residents rely solely on relief food

The Turkana District Red Cross chairman John Nakara says that access to water is the long-term solution.

The electricity generation project on River Turkwell has done more harm than good as water does not flow in large amounts, he says.

“If this water was to flow normally, it would encourage the residents to engage in irrigation, thus increasing food security,” says Mr Nakara.

According to area chief Moses Lokala and councillor Joseph Oke, it is time the government designed permanent solutions to hunger in the country.

“The people in this area heavily depended on livestock but most of it has died due to drought. Even Lake Turkana is drying up as farmers in Ethiopia drain water from it to irrigate their farm,” says Mr Oke.

He reckons a Kenya Meat Commission factory in the expansive Turkana area would serve the various pastoral communities. A fish processing factory would also help create employment for the Lake Turkana fishermen.

For now, however, the locals are at the mercy of the elements.