Over 1300 vulnerable residents from 250 households in Kanamkemer Ward, Turkana Central, have benefitted from a food donation jointly offered by the Kenya Mennonite Church, County and the National Governments.
The food distribution was officially flagged-off by the Deputy Governor (DG), Dr. John Erus, alongside the County Commissioner, Julius Kavita, at Kanamkemer market, in a ceremony attended by the senior officials and the general public.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Erus said that the intervention was part of the broader efforts by the government and partners to cushion communities against drought triggered vulnerabilities.
DG Erus linked the current food crisis to climate change manifesting as drought and flash floods in quick succession in Turkana, and assured the residents that the government was working closely with partners to provide relief and build resilience of communities.
“Today, it is our brothers and sisters of the Kenya Mennonite Church (KMC) through their relief and development agency Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), who have stood with us. The County is open to more organizations willing to partner to support our communities,” DG Erus, said while appreciating the donors.
Additionally, the DG took advantage of the large turnout to advocate for public health campaigns currently being conducted across the county.
“Alongside this distribution, we are also conducting malaria prevention drug administration for under-fives, social health insurance registration and typhoid and Measles vaccination. I encourage you all to participate,” he added.
County Commissioner Julius Kavita, who was present, urged the beneficiaries to use the food to keep children nourished and in school.
The commissioner hinted that the government would consider using schools’ registers for targeting households in a bid to enforce school attendance.
“Our brothers and sisters of the Mennonite Church have sacrificed their comfort to give us this relief food. Responsible parenting demands that we pay back by ensuring that our children are well fed and taken to school to secure their future. I have directed all chiefs and their assistants to encourage communities to take their children to school,” Julius Kavita said.
According to the County Commissioner, the government had plans to roll out a new round of food distribution exercise in the coming days following the commencement of the new 2025-2026 Financial Year.
Manager of the relief food distribution project at the KMC Evans Oginga, hinted that the targeting for the households considered family size to benefit all members.
He clarified that the food items distributed included a ten-kilo bags of maize, a six-kilo bag of beans, cooking oil and salt for each family member in every household.
Noting that the church had grand plans for Turkana, including ventures in education and child protection in the coming days, Oginga added that they were open to more partnership ventures moving forward.
While appreciating the donors, Mary Akeno Esinyen, a beneficiary of the relief food, vowed to take part in government-sanctioned public health activities as directed by both the Deputy Governor and County Commissioner.
By Peter Gitonga
