‘My mother would   be alive if she had something to eat’

Eribo Amaling’a’s body is buried under a mound of rocks in Nakinomet village in Kibish, Turkana County.

Her daughter Ekalale Lopusibok — her face smeared with white ochre, a sign of mourning — is sure that had her mother had something to eat or drink, she would still be alive.

Amaling’a died on Wednesday after going without food for 10 days. She adds to the number of deaths related to hunger that the government continues to deny.

FRESH GRAVE

Ms Lopusibok says she had gone to look for food in Kaikor centre, about 20 kilometres from her home, and returned with a kilogramme of maize flour. But she was too late, as she could not manage to get her mother to drink the porridge she quickly prepared in a bid to save her.

“She took only two spoonfuls of porridge and collapsed. She was too weak to eat. She did not die because she was sick or old. She died because she could not get food,” said Ms Lopusibok after showing the Nation the fresh grave.

Villagers helped her to bury her on Thursday morning.

The centre, which is on the border with South Sudan, had been thrown into mourning once more. It was not the first time. According to the villagers, this has been the ritual this month.

The villagers said eight people, including Amaling’a, have died of hunger since the beginning of this month. This is in addition to two reported to have died in Turkana Central two weeks ago.

As the government denied that any Kenyan had died from hunger, the Kenya Red Cross Society confirmed that indeed a number of people have died from hunger in Turkana and other areas hit hard by the current drought.

While making an appeal to Kenyans to help the starving in at least 17 counties, KRCS Secretary-General Abbas Gullet said he was aware of a 17-year-old who died in Turkana.

EIGHT DEADS

“There was a case of a young man said to have stayed three days without food and a 17-year-old one who died in Turkana. They could have died because of other illnesses, though, and doctors can tell us,” he said.

In Nakinomet, residents said they last saw a government official months ago. Some of them only saw the area chief, who is based in Kaikor, several kilometres away, when they went to pick up relief food last week.

On Thursday they were furious after hearing reports that Deputy President William Ruto had dismissed reports of deaths from the biting hunger.

“Those saying that no one has died are speaking from the comfort of their homes, where they have plenty of food. How can we even think of lying? What will we get from it if we lie that people are dying from hunger?” asked James Ng’orupus, a resident.

He said the villagers had not had adequate food since last year, and were depending on relief food.

The last time some of them got food was last week when the county distributed some at Kaikor centre.

Mr Richard Ekal, another resident, said he was pained by the deaths of his people, adding that the deaths could have been averted if officials had intervened.

“We have lost eight people now. Three elderly men, three women and two children. This is since the beginning of this month. We are desperate for any form of assistance because we cannot afford to lose more lives,” he said.

800,000 RESIDENTS

On Thursday evening, Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok reshuffled his Cabinet as he faced criticism on how he had handled the hunger. More than 800,000 residents are facing starvation in the county alone.

Through a statement from Director Public Communications John Emeripus, Governor Nanok moved Mr Charles Lokioto, from Disaster Management to Tourism. Mr Lokioto takes over from Ms Jennifer Nawoi, who will now be in charge of Trade.

Mr Lokioto’s position was filled by Ms Esther Lokwee, who moves from Lands.

Mr Antony Apalia moves from Trade, Gender and Youth Services to Lands, Housing and Urban Areas Management.

“The changes take effect immediately and the officers have been directed to take up the new assignments and hand over within 72 hours,” said Mr Emeripus.