Appeal for food aid as thousands face starvation in Kilifi

What you need to know:

  • According to the latest statistics released by the county official parts of Malindi Sub-County, Kilifi North and Ganze are in dire need of relief aid.
  • Menza said that so far they have not received any money from the national government but the county government has set aside Sh32 million for disaster and hunger management.
  • Red Cross has also raised a red flag over the issue saying that the situation in Magarini Sub County needs immediate intervention.

Over 350,000 residents of Kilifi County are facing starvation and are in dire need of food aid, Kilifi County executive member for agriculture Mwalimu Menza has said.

According to the latest statistics released by the county official parts of Malindi Sub-County, Kilifi North and Ganze are in dire need of relief aid.

He said that the Kilifi county government has set aside Sh4 million to purchase food staff to be distributed in the most affected places during the first phase.

Addressing a press conference at the Kilifi deputy governor’s offices, Menza said that they have bought 40 tons of food stuffs which include maize flour, maize and beans which will be distributed in Ganze, Mitangani, Tsangasini and Chapungu.

Menza said that so far they have not received any money from the national government but the county government has set aside Sh32 million for disaster and hunger management.

He expressed his concern that if the hunger continues biting, it will affect education since many children will have to stop attending the school.

Already, several schools are recording a low turn out of pupils, he said.

Manze thanked humanitarian organisations such as World Vision, World Food Programme and Plan International who are supporting the county government in supplying food to the affected people in Kilifi County.

Red Cross has also raised a red flag over the issue saying that the situation in Magarini Sub County needs immediate intervention.

Malindi Red Cross coordinator Musa Hassan said that all measures need to be taken to ensure the situation is contained.