Nyeri AP officers forego meals to feed starving families

Administration Police officers in Nyeri have opted to forgo a meal per day to feed starving families in parts of the county.

In a show of their service-to-all motto (Utumishi Kwa Wote), the officers have taken up the sacrifice with the launch of a food donation and distribution campaign in the county on Wednesday.

The drive, a partnership between the Administration Police and the clergy in Nyeri, seeks to collect food donations from residents that will then be distributed to needy families in areas affected by famine.

According to Nyeri County government data, over 24,000 people are facing starvation from the effects of a prolonged drought.

Most of the people in dire need of food are in Kieni constituency, the county's food basket that is also classified as a semiarid area.

A decline in the amount of rainfall and the number of wet days recorded in the county in the past one year resulted in a drop in harvests.

SHORT RAINS

The short rains that started in the fourth week of October 2016 were erratic and short-lived.

While most basic food items are still available at markets, prices have shot up, making them unaffordable to most people.

Nyeri County AP Commander Njue Njagi, speaking to the Nation, said the food-distribution campaign was initiated by junior officers on the ground who witnessed first-hand the effects of the famine.

“We felt it was a good initiative and when we consulted the other officers they agreed to support the mission and forgo a meal to feed their fellow Kenyans,” said Mr Njue.

REMOTE AREAS

The AP unit of the National Police Service was established to operate in close proximity to civilians, with whom they interact and who, according to the officers, have inspired them to participate in the programme.

“Very many people are starving in some of the remote areas where we are posted and we see it every day.

“So we decided to extend our service-to-all motto by mobilising others who are well up to donate food,” said Corporal Tabitha Maina, an officer participating in the drive.

Commander Njagi noted that though they had received food aid from the government and well-wishers, it still is not enough to mitigate the ongoing food crisis.

“People have come out to donate food but, currently, it is not enough, so we appeal to others to also join us by giving whatever little food they can,” he said.

The law enforcers and religious leaders will also use the programme to preach peace during political campaigns and ahead of party nominations.