Embrace agriculture, pastoralists urged

Hundreds of families in Turkana and West Pokot will be taught farming to increase food production instead of relying solely on pastoralism, according to a local administrator.

Mr Elijah Kodo, Turkana South Sub-County Commissioner said the families would also be trained on how to harvest rain for use in irrigation.

Mr Kodo urged those residing along Turkwel and Kerio rivers to invest in agriculture as they had no reason to complain of lack of water.

“There is need for members of the pastoral communities to diversify to other income generating activities including crop production and business instead of depending solely on livestock,” said Mr Kodo.

The families will be encouraged to cultivate vegetables, bananas and drought resistant crops like sorghum and millet to alleviate poverty, Turkana Rehabilitation Programme manager James Kipkan said.

The programme is being implemented in partnership with the World Food Programme and targets to equip 100,000 residents with skills in modern agriculture.

At the same time, Turkana County government has bought relief food worth Sh100 million for distribution to nearly 400,000 people directly affected by drought.

County Disaster Management Executive Charles Ewoi Lokioto said the food consignment would be distributed to those affected by famine next week. The food consists of maize, beans and cooking oil.

Mr Lokioto said that WFP had resumed its school feeding programme following reports that hunger had forced thousands of pupils out of school.