Thousands in Wajir starve as drought continues to bite

Wajir County continues to be ravaged by drought which has affected thousands of people.

Residents are also in dire need of water and pasture for their livestock.

The situation has made the county government to intervene, launching food distribution.

Some 9,400 bags of rice, 1,840 bags of beans and 120 cartons of oil were released to six sub-counties.

Boreholes in the expansive Wajir County also serve pastoralists from neighbouring counties.

AFFECTED AREAS

“The drought has affected Eldas, Wajir South and Wajir West Sub-County and if we don’t get sufficient rains then all the six sub counties will be in the same state. We will pull resources across the board to cushion our people in these trying times,” said Deputy Governor Ahmed Ali Werar.

Mr Werar said his administration distributes water to over 154 settlements to prevent the loss of lives of livestock which is the backbone of Wajir economy and supports the livelihoods of the people.

He said the county government will use more money on provision of water.

There are over 400 settlements depending on water trucking.

Mr Werar said the county administration has invested heavily in mega piping projects from boreholes.

He also appealed to the national government and other partners to help mitigate the drought and compliment the county’s efforts.