Four die of hunger as situation escalates in Baringo

By ROBERT KIPLAGAT

Baringo, Kenya: Four elderly people have reportedly died in Kositei area in East Pokot sub-County and more than 180,000 others are in dire need of emergency food relief as hunger bites arid parts of Baringo County.

Affected villages areas include Ripkwo, Kositei, Ameyan, Katikit and other parts in Silale such as Naudo, Riong’o, Natan which are the worst hit.

According to local chief Jackson Roruney,  the deceased, Ritee Kadipoo, Chepachikwa Limasia, Longuratome Lokorwa  and one Ptura Akatomoi  from Katikit all aged between 60 and 70 years old lost lives due to lack of food.

The chief said that many locals are at risk of dying of hunger-related incidences as the number of people in need of food has hit the ceiling following harsh weather.

“Several other people especially the aging, women and children are helpless and most of them have been left alone in their houses as the able members of the families look for water and food and the death toll might rise if no action is urgently done to save the situation, “said Roruney.

Local leaders led by area MP Asman Kamama and Kositei MCA Daniel Tuwit have, however, appealed for urgent intervention by the Jubilee government to save lives.

Kamama who spoke during launching of a school bus in Churo asked the government to dispatch  relief to the affected areas.

The MP further urged the locals to sell their livestock while they are still healthy to avert losses should the drought persist.

MCA Tuwit said learning has been affected as schools such as Chesitet, Ameyan in Kositei and Natan, Naudo, Riong’o in Silale were on the verge of closure due to lack of water.

Baringo County commissioner Benard Leparmarai said 18,000 households which translate to over 100,000 residents are in dire need of food in arid areas of the county such as East Pokot and parts of Baringo North.