West Pokot MCAs say State doing little to curb insecurity, hunger

Acting West Pokot County Commissioner Khaliff Abdullahi. He has defended the government from claims by some MCAs that it has done little to address the hunger and insecurity in the region. PHOTO | OSCAR KAKAI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  OSCAR KAKAI

What you need to know:

  • The MCAs said that many people in the county are on the verge of starvation due to prolonged drought.
  • The ward reps said insecurity along the porous Pokot-Baringo border is worrying.
  • Mr Khalif called on the leaders to appreciate what the government is doing instead of criticising everything.

Ward representatives from West Pokot County have accused the government of failing to deal with insecurity and hunger, the two main problems ravaging the region.

Speaking in Kapenguria on Sunday, the MCAs, led by the Lelan Ward Rep, Paul Yaraki, said that many people in the county are on the verge of starvation due to prolonged drought.

“Many water sources have also dried up forcing our people to walk [for] long distances in search of the precious commodity,” said Mr Yaraki.

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Seker MCA Thomas Ngolesya said that the problem of insecurity along the porous Pokot-Baringo border is worrying and challenged other members to visit the area and try to talk to the warring groups for peace to prevail.

RELIEF FOOD

However, acting West Pokot County Commissioner Khalif Abdullahi dismissed the claims by the MCAs, saying that in January and February, the national government distributed 5,000 bags of relief maize in the county.

Mr Khalif said that for the two months, the county also received and distributed 2,000 bags of beans, 3,000 bags of rice and 500 cartons of cooking oil.

He added that five sub-counties of West Pokot, Pokot North, Pokot South, Pokot Central and Kipkomo each received an equal share of the food.

“The government is committed to [seeing] to it that no citizen dies of hunger.

“We will continue providing wananchi with relief food until the situation improves in the region,” said Mr Khalif.

RELIEF PASTURE

In the month of February, he added, the government, through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) distributed relief pasture to the pastoralists in both Pokot North and Pokot Central where the drought is severe.

Mr Khalif said that 4,000 bales of hay, 378 bags of maintenance pellets and 2,000 blocks of urea molasses minerals targeting 2,000 cattle were also distributed.

He called on the leaders to appreciate what the government is doing instead of criticising everything.

A recent food security assessment report prepared by the County Steering Group indicated that more than 120,000 people are in dire need of food assistance for the next three months.

Mr Khalif said that due to the persistent dry spell, about 75 per cent of the county is experiencing shortage of pasture and water for livestock.

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