Relief food not enough as deaths reported in Marsabit

A carcass of a donkey on the Elgadhe Bales road in Marsbit County. PHOTO | IRENE MWENDWA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • In January, President Uhuru Kenyatta had promised that the government would double the amount of relief food distributed in the region.
  • Despite the fight by the national and county governments and non-governmental organisations, many residents are still in need of food, water and medicine.

Two people have been confirmed dead in Kalacha, Marsabit County as residents express fears the number could rise due to prolonged drought.

“Many people have lost their lives as a result of the drought…the area is quite expansive and people hardly report deaths especially for the elderly so we get to know about those around us only," said Kalacha chief Denge Gorai as he confirmed the deaths.

In Elgadhe, 70-year-old Shibo Boru said he has to trek long distances in search of relief food while another resident — Boru Roba — said many people have lost their animals.

Mr Gumato Ballo, a resident of Kalacha market, said they had received aid from the national and county governments but the food is not sufficient.

“Four kilos of maize and two kilos of beans cannot not take even the smallest family for two days. Over 140 households have not also received this relief hence they are still suffering," said Mr Ballo.

UHURU’S PROMISE

In January, President Uhuru Kenyatta had promised that the government would double the amount of relief food distributed in the region.

The president who spoke in Marsabit during a tour to mobilise locals to register as voters said the government would review the budget to have more funds allocated for relief food.

“We are reviewing the budget to step up the distribution of relief food in the affected counties," he said.

Despite the fight by the national and county governments and non-governmental organisations, many residents are still in need of food, water and medicine.

SCHOOLS HIT

Schools in the county are struggling to retain learners as the drought continues to ravage the region.

For instance, Kalacha Primary in North Horr sub-county has stopped receiving fee subsidies which they could have used to purchase food, yet they cannot send the pupils home.

School head Ibrae Koke said it has been hard to keep a population of 327 pupils in school without food.

Mr Koke who spoke to the Nation.co.ke during a relief programme by the pastoralist community initiative and development assistance (PACIDA), said his schools has accrued huge debts in local shops in efforts to feed the pupils.

“There is no food at home and in school. Last week we almost closed the school but with the aid PACIDA has given us, we can go for at least two more weeks as we seek more alternatives,” he said revealing that he was also contemplating on closing the institution.

Nomadic Girls Boarding School head teacher Benjamin Boru said 467 pupils in school are having a hard time concentrating on their studies.

“Majority are ‘long distance pupils’ while others left their parents moving in search of pasture. Sending them home will only lead to more dropouts,” said Mr Boru.

At Ririba Girls Primary school in Balesa area, school head Budha Lochi said in his records he has 72 boarders yet only 48 are currently in class.

Mr Lochi said that the feeding programme by the government was halted with a promise to replace it with cash transfer system.

“While some might have dropped out because their parents have relocated in search of pasture, over 21 boarders have left due to lack of food," said Mr Lochi.