Thousands face starvation in Kilifi as drought situation worsens

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of East African Community Affairs (EAC) and Regional Development Management Beatrice Askul Moe with Ganze MP Kennedy Kazungu Tungule and other officials during the launching of water and feeding program in Mryuachakwe village in Ganze, Kilifi county [ Marion Kith, Standard]

Thousands of residents of drought-prone parts of Kilifi County are facing starvation with the situation in the Ganze sub-county dire, according to the National Government.

According to the Ministry of East African Community Affairs (EAC) and Regional Development Management Cabinet Secretary Beatrice Moe, over 80,000 residents of Kilifi are in dire need of food aid and drinking water.

She said Ganze was the worst hit area with 20,000 without food and drinking water.

The CS was speaking at Mryachakwe village in Ganze, where she announced the start of relief food distribution.

"As we begin the program here in Kilifi, we have distributed 300 bags of rice,270 bags of beans, and 40,000 liters of water to the locals in this area to cushion them from the adverse effects of the drought," she said.

The CS assured the community that the Government, with support from the private sector, development partners, and other non-state actors, continues to scale up response interventions to cushion drought-associated citizens.

''This area is saline, so instead of drilling boreholes we are contemplating water harvesting by putting dams and water pans as a mitigating measure and a lasting solution for both the people and livestock,'' she added.

Most natural open water sources in Ganze have dried up, putting immense pressure on the few available boreholes and dwindling water pans.

According to the National Drought Authority Ganze, Magarini, Kaloleni and some parts of Malindi sub-counties are the worst affected areas by drought.

State Department for the ASALs and Regional Development Principal Secretary Kello Harsama said the water distribution will be weekly while food distribution will be monthly.

''We will station two water buzzers to support the locals with 40,000 liters of water every week, while food will be distributed monthly with the help of the county commissioner to ensure no resident is left behind," said Kello.

According to the Kenya Meteorological Department, the country will experience a depressed short rain pattern in more than 23 counties, including Kilifi.

In addition, the PS said that the government would soon start resilience programs within the 23 counties, which are always affected by drought, including the construction of dams to deal with the perennial shortage of water.

Speaking during the event, Ganze MP Kazungu Tungule appreciated the efforts by the state to cushion the people.

''The people here do not have any development activity to rely on apart from livestock farming, which at the moment is impossible because of the drought' 'he said.

Tungule also said that his administration is working closely with the Kenya Wildlife Service [KWS ]to restrain the elephants as the national exams approach to ensure that students will not be affected.

Most of the inhabitants of arid areas in Kilifi are livestock farmers.

Nyevu Shida, a resident of Mryachakwe in Ganze, said because of the drought 20 litres of water costs Sh50. Households have to walk up to 10 to 15 km to find water.

''Every day I spend over 200 on water only and this is not even enough for household activities," she said.

Dust mercilessly cuts through the air, meandering across the pathways of Mryachakwe Village in Ganze, about 120 Km from Kilifi town. The terrain is flat and desolate, with nothing but dried-up shrubs.