Number of Kenyans facing starvation rises to 5.1million as relief food targets learners

The latest roll-out of relief effort targets learners across 150 schools ahead of the national examinations.

In Naiwotorong, Turkana County where it is becoming increasingly difficult to survive, locals lined up to receive relief food, an indication of the deepening hunger situation that has affected millions of Kenyans.

Some say they have had to go up to six days without food and are forced to survive on wild fruits.

“Mimi nimekaa njaa siku tano sasa na hatuna chakula hapa,” Julius Lokwamit a Naiwotorong resident says.

“Tumekula ile matunda ya msituni kwa siku sita sasa na hata mifugo wetu hawana chakula,” added Paul Ekeno.

The situation is similar in the neighbouring county of West Pokot and the residents want the government to implement long-term measures to prevent a recurrence.

With the ravages of drought biting hard and as the situation continues to worsen, the government says 846,318 more Kenyans have joined the list of those in need, even as it rolls out relief measures to reach out to the affected.

 “As of Thursday, the NDMA has given us a figure of 5.1 million Kenyans needing assistance. So, you can see we have moved from 4.35 to 5.1 million which means that the situation is still not good,” Sec Gen, Kenya Red Cross Dr Asha Mohamed said.

The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) says the 846,318 are from the counties of Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Machakos, Homa Bay, Migori, Nakuru, Elgeyo/Marakwet, and Siaya.

Siaya and Homa Bay add to the affected 29 counties bringing the number of affected counties to 31.

According to NDMA, this has affected 45 Wards across the nine counties.

As the number of drought-ravaged Kenyans keeps increasing, the Kenya Red Cross Society and Cereals Millers Association on Friday flagged off relief food targeting 61,000 learners across 150 schools in nine counties meant to keep them in school during the national examination period.

 “I think 150 schools with just one flag off is something that we must commend,” Dr Asha Mohamed stated.

Cereal Millers Association Chairperson Kamaldeep Phull  added: “As a responsible organization, we have made a commitment to support vulnerable schools children in various counties by providing nutritious flour during the examination period.”

During its inaugural session chaired by President William Ruto, the cabinet kicked off with an appraisal of the ongoing state interventions.

The cabinet took note of Cabinet Dispatch Letter Pullout in the ongoing humanitarian support including food assistance, health and nutrition and provision of water supply points through water trucking.

Both state and non-state actors say the failure of the OND [October-November-December] rains means stretched resources and personnel, as the number of affected Kenyans shoots