Famine fears as severe drought grips Marsabit

A section of El Molo Village in Loiyangalani, Marsabit County, on May 22, 2016. Deputy governor Omar Abdi Ali has warned of an impending famine in the county. FILE PHOTO | KEN BETT

What you need to know:

  • Marsabit County Deputy Governor Omar Abdi Ali said drought in the area had worsened affecting pastoralists due to lack of water and pasture.
  • According to Marsabit County drought coordinator Golicha Guyo, a task force with be established to reduce the impact of the drought.

Marsabit residents risk severe hunger if it does not rain soon, Deputy Governor Omar Abdi Ali has warned.

Mr Abdi, who chaired a meeting of the county steering group at a Marsabit hotel on Tuesday, appealed to stakeholders to help mitigate the situation before it becomes critical.

He said drought in the county had worsened affecting pastoralists due to lack of water and pasture.

The deputy governor added that unless the rains come to the area soon "things will get worst". It has not rained in Marsabit for the past five months

Marsabit County Commissioner Magu Mutindika urged stakeholders to work as a team to control the situation.

He told the meeting, organized by the National Drought Management Authority, to assess the drought situation in the county that there was a need for herders to share available resources amicably.

Marsabit County drought coordinator Golicha Guyo said a task force comprising the departments of education, agriculture, livestock, water and national security would ensure, by providing food, water and hay, that no human or animal life is lost.

The movement of herders with their animals in search of grazing grounds would be monitored to ensure the of sharing available resources does not lead to conflicts.