Don't forsake us, Garissa farmers cry amidst floods

Farmers in Garissa have said the government and development partners have abandoned them, despite flood wreaking havoc in their farms.

Speaking to the press in Garissa town on Tuesday, the Kenya National Farmers Federations Chairman, Dubat Ali Amey, said all efforts have been directed to people displaced by floods while over 9,000 households who solely depended on farms have been left destitute.

Amey, who was joined by officials from the Garissa Farmer’s Network, said while they have no problem with flood victims being assisted, the same help should be extended to farmers.

“The farmers along the River are in a state of despair, they have lost everything. The farms have been washed, the destruction is very devastating and we demand immediate intervention, both long and short term intervention,” he said.

The chairman welcomed the announcement on compensation of farmers made by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during his visit to Garissa. 

“The other day we saw the top government leadership led by the Deputy President himself saying that a review will be done by KenGen to assess  the damage caused by the floods and work out some compensation for the victims of the constituencies along the  lower Tana, which are affected. We hope and pray that they keep their word,” he said.

But Amey also took a swipe at visit, saying the political elite make roadside promises and declarations. He added that there is need to go on a fact-finding mission to see losses incurred by farmers and come up with a plan.

The government should support farmers with seeds, inject funds, give food and pumps as a short-term plan to relieve the situation, he said.

A long term intervention should be to stop flooding permanently, Amey added.

Abdirahin Farah, the chairman Farmers Network said all government levels and development actors have not developed a matrix on how to support farmers.

“The floods have universally affected farmers along the Tana River on either side. Unfortunately, there has not been any focus to support farmers,” he told journalists.

However, compensation should have a formula based on the extent of loss in individual farms.

“There are over 9,000 households in Garissa alone who solely relied on farms currently at home with nothing to do after farms have been destroyed, they are in dire need of support,” Farah said.

He appealed to the government for immediate support to rehabilitate farms as well as replanting.

Abdirahin said cash transfers should also be given to farmers who have been affected, urging the Garissa and Tana River counties, the national government and development partners to give them priority.