The national government has allocated and distributed 1500 bags of rice and 748 bags of beans to famine-stricken families in 16 villages of Hulugho sub county, Garissa County.
Area Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Elijah Mutemi said the food has already reached the needy households in an exercise conducted through the assistance of chiefs and village elders, who ensured only the most deserving cases benefited.
Mutemi attributed the famine to prolonged drought that he said continues to ravage the region.
“The dry spell is also causing conflicts as pastoralists from neighbouring sub counties including Garissa, Fafi and Wajir have migrated with their animals to Hulugho region in search of water and pasture.
The biggest problem is that the pastoralists have moved in with their animals without knocking. They have trespassed and are competing for the meagre pasture and water, while grazing their animals on people’s farms thus causing conflicts,” the DCC added.
Mutemi said due to the raving drought some pastoralists were also grazing besides Boni forest, which is part of Hulugho and Bothai sub counties and even along Kismayu side on the Kenya Somalia border.
However, he added the conflicts were being resolved promptly by the National government administrative officers, assisted by elders from both sides.
Interviewed by Kenya News Agency (KNA) residents appealed to well-wishers including philanthropic agencies like AMA as well as Arabic countries such as Kuwait to supplement the National Government efforts by donating food and non-food items to drought victims in the region.
They particularly singled out orphans, widows and persons with disabilities as those in need of urgent assistance.
According to the latest Kenya Meteorological Department weather forecast, while heavy rainfall is expected in most parts of the country during the March- April-May (MAM) long rains season, northern Kenya and coastal counties are expected to receive minimal rains.
The region has suffered failed rains for the last three consecutive seasons, with residents now urging local Sheikhs and Imams to pray for the rains.
By Mohammed Dahir
