Turkana
district since time immemorial has been known as an area that is hunger
stricken. Residents of this region have no food due to the dryness of the area.
Everyday people die of hunger. Also worst hit districts are East pokot, Baringo
north, moyale, marsabit and samburu. Despite the government efforts to supply
relief’s food several people have already perished.
Most areas
in these regions are ravaged by famine thus the affected families need help in
alleviating the disaster. Mind you students and pupils have dropped out of
school due to hunger thus a worrying plight. In most school absenteeism has
increased alarmingly because most pupils don’t get food at home and those who
attend school can’t concentrate on studies due to hunger. This results to poor
performance and serious fee problems due to drought that has affected the
livestock prices: for instance a cow costed ksh 10000 now fetching ksh. 2000
while a goat goes for kshs. 500.
Some
regions like East Baringo residents are eating wild fruits after their
livestock which is their main source of food died. Remember, wild fruits have
to be boiled for twelve hours to be ready to eat. Other residents drive their
animals more than 300km in search of pastures and water. Only malnourished
children, women and elderly are left behind where majority end up dying because
of hunger. My research tells me that the area has not received any rainfall for
8months. These people survive on medical support from well wishers. One
resident told me that he lost 20 heads of cattle to the famine.
The irony
part is the government maintains that no one has died of hunger in the country.
I hope that the government will come up with long term solutions like
harvesting rain water by constructing dams, equity of natural resources and
medical support.
Bye Evelyn
