The National Government has distributed 3,000 bags of 50kg rice and 1500 bags of beans as relief food to drought-stricken families and orphans’ homes in Isiolo County.
Devolution Chief Administrative Secretary, Mr Abdul Bahari, launched the distribution exercise at Mwangaza chief’s camp, Isiolo town where 1,000 bags of rice and 500 bags of beans were given to the elderly and orphans.
Bahari said the current drought situation which has severely affected 10 counties across the country calls for the government and donors to support the residents of the region who alongside their livestock, the main economic mainstay, are faced with hunger.
Mr Bahari added that water trucking was ongoing in Modogashe, Garbatulla Sub-County and other areas where the National Government has invested a lot of resources to save human lives and livestock threatened by the drought.
The CAS said that 8,400 bales of hay were being distributed to herders in the County to support the weak animals until the expected October – December rain sets in and the animals’ general body condition was likely to improve since the pasture would readily sprout.
He also said that 4000 litres of diesel was given out to residents using five boreholes in Merti and Garbatulla Sub-Counties hence avert the hustle of trekking for long distances to get water.
Mr Bahari said the government has allocated Sh2 billion to drought affected counties where every effort would be done so that Kenyans would not die of hunger.
The Devolution CAS who was accompanied by Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner, Mr Kepha Marube, said more food would be required if the drought prolongs and challenged wananchi to appreciate the government effort and be patient pledging more support was imminent.
The former Isiolo South MP urged wananchi to register as voters and make their rightful choice in order to support good governance in future.
Marube directed all chiefs and their assistants to be on the lookout for drought trends and provide weekly reports to his office on Mondays to facilitate taking of swift response measures where necessary.
The Deputy County Commissioner asked Chiefs and the Nyumba Kumi elders to monitor the food distribution exercise to ensure the vulnerable residents were assisted.
Marube warned that relief food was meant for the poor and the orphans, add in that those who will be found engrossed in biasness and nepotism while distributing food would be disciplined in accordance with the law.
Over 350 bags of rice and 136 bags of beans were distributed in four centres where the Victor’s Home for Orphans also benefited.
Residents led by former Bulapesa Ward Representative, Mr Moses Mwongera, welcomed the government’s move with gratitude and called for additional supply since the number of the needy people was more than those listed for support.
At least two million Kenyans from 10 counties in the country are experiencing drought following failure of rains in the past seasons, which led to the government making an emergency appeal for food support from donors and other partners as several intervention activities are being employed to mitigate drought effects.
By Abduba Mamo and David Nduro
