MP cries foul over relief food

• Legislator claims that food is being distributed according to political loyalties

The food crisis in Baringo and Marigat districts has turned political, with some leaders taking advantage of the situation to gain mileage.

Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita has expressed concern over alleged unfair distribution of relief food in the area.

Speaking on Monday during a meeting at Sangarau Girls’ Secondary School in Tenges division, Mr Mwaita said areas such as Kabarnet, Mosop, Orokwo, and Talai in Kabarnet division, Bekibon, Tulwongoi, and Emom in Tenges division, and Sacho Soi and Kibonjos in Sacho division were left out although they are food deficit.

“We’ve already lost more than 10 people to hunger-related illnesses,” said Mr Mwaita, adding that the number was likely to rise if residents do not receive food.

The ODM MP accused leaders of former regimes of interfering with the exercise as a political weapon against him.

“Even if there are differences, hunger should be the last thing to be politicised,” he said.

He cited the recent distribution of relief food at Kabarnet stadium by a bank in collaboration with a local politician. He claimed that only residents aligned to the politician’s party benefited.

The MP asked local leaders to refrain from engaging in cheap party politics but instead unite and address the plight of the hunger stricken residents in the district.

Mr Mwaita said area residents now depend on wild fruits and roots. Baringo County Council chairman Kangogo Rono said it was wrong for the government to hold maize in stores while residents were dying.

“Who will eat the maize after we have all died?” he asked.

He challenged retired President Daniel Moi to come to the assistance of his former constituents. He said it was ironical for the former first family to take relief food to other parts of the country while people were dying in their back yard.

He appeared to refer to former area MP Gideon Moi, the former president’s son. who distributed relief food in Mt Elgon District at the weekend.

But Marigat district commissioner Geoffrey Taragon said no deaths had been reported to his office. However, he agreed that many people were fleeing due to famine.