In drought-ridden Kitui, over 26,000 face starvation

Over 26,000 Kitui residents face starvation following a severe drought that has gripped most parts of the arid county, according to an official of the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA).

NDMA county drought coordinator Francis Koma on Tuesday said Kitui South is suffering the most. Other affected areas include Kitui East, Kitui Rural and Mwingi.

“These people are in dire need of food relief to save them from imminent starvation. Livestock in those areas are also at risk as most of them are already emaciated,” he noted during an interview with journalists at his office in Kitui Town.

Mr Koma said the region had inadequate rains in the last rainy season, and the dry spell, which has also affected several other counties, has prompted the government to intervene.

“The rains were very little, leading to a great decline in food and livestock production as well as water supply. Most crops dried up prematurely while most seasonal water sources have dried up.

“The situation has seen limited water points across the county strained as people and livestock compete for water,” he said.

Mr Koma also said climatic studies indicate that uncontrolled charcoal burning in the remote parts of the county, especially in Kitui South, between 2000 and 2008 led to adverse climate change, with the region now receiving inadequate and erratic rainfall.

He said the national and county governments are working together to distribute relief food to the affected locals.

Kitui is one of 23 counties experiencing drought conditions, with some 1.3 million Kenyans affected.