State gives relief food to 90 families in Ishakani, Lamu

The national government has distributed relief food to more than 90 families in Ishakani Village on the Lamu-Somalia border who are facing hunger.

Three weeks ago, the families fled their village to Kiunga Town, about five kilometres away, following a raid by Al-Shabaab militants on January 14.

During the 6.30am raid, about 100 heavily armed Al-Shabaab militants assembled the villagers and forced them to listen to radicalised summons for almost an hour.

Early last week, Lamu County Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo said he had received a consignment of the relief food but directed the residents to go back to their village in order to get the food.

600 BAGS

However, speaking to Nation on Sunday, Mr Kitiyo said they had successfully distributed over 600 bags of maize, rice and beans to the families.

He said the government will continue to push the limits in order to help those affected by terrorism and other vulnerable groups including those in drought-prone areas in the county.

He thanked the residents of Ishakani for adhering to the government order to return back to their village.

“We have distributed 300 bags of rice, 200 bags of maize, 150 bags of beans, cartons of cooking oil and 100 boxes of bathing soap. The food is an aid from the national government as requested by Lamu Woman Representative Ruweida Obbo. I take this opportunity to also thank the locals in Ishakani for respecting the government order and returning back to their village,” said Mr Kitiyo.

MORE RELIEF

On her side, Mrs Obbo said she will do all she can to ensure more relief aid is taken to Lamu County to assist those facing acute food shortage.

“I am happy that my people have received the food. I will not abandon you. In fact I will continue pushing so that the government provides more aid where possible,” said Mrs Obbo.

Meanwhile, Boni residents in Bahamisi, Kiangwe and Pandanguo villages in Lamu County are facing acute shortage of food and water.

The residents have appealed for relief food and water from both the county and governments and well-wishers after a drought spell left them with nothing.

WELLS DRY

Speaking to Nation on Sunday, the locals said all the wells, boreholes, rivers and lakes that they were depending on have so far dried up leaving them reeling in thirst together with their livestock.

They said all farm crops that they had earlier planted also dried up due to the scorching sun, leaving them with no food.

Pandanguo Village headman Adan Golja called for quick intervention to save the current situation.

“Both adults and children here can go for two days without food and water. Some of us are even forced to dig up roots and wild fruits in bushes for survival. The little crops we tried planting have dried up because of the drought and so have the wells here. The situation is bad and we really need help,” said Mr Golja.

In Bahamisi and Kiangwe villages all in Lamu East, residents said they are forced to drink and cook with salty water after the only fresh water wells turned saline.