Over 1,000 Mathioya residents receive food donations

A decade ago residents of Karung’e village in Murang’a county were a hopeless lot, infested with jiggers and unable to fend for themselves. 

Most had become dependent on aid and many children had dropped out of school.

It was here that Ahadi Kenya Trust launched its fight against jiggers.

The NGO was back this weekend with food donations to celebrate Easter. 

The more than 1,000 residents who gathered at Karung’e grounds each received two kilogrammes of maize flour, rice, porridge flour and beans.

Residents were rebuilding when Covid-19 struck and now the prolonged drought coupled with the high cost of living. 

“We have just moved on from Covid-19 but we still feel its effects and the majority of us are struggling to get by,” Harrison Kamau said.

He said most households would not have celebrated Easter if the NGO had not come to their aid.  

Harrison, who is also the chairperson of Karung’e Jigger Survivors, thanked the organisation for the donations.

Harrison said just 10 years ago, his family had been incapacitated by jiggers and was living in extreme poverty.

“Ahadi Kenya came in and supplied us with the drugs we needed to heal and now my family is whole and my children were able to complete their education,” he said.

His fingers have no nails as a result of the infestation.

Ahadi Kenya Trust CEO Stanley Kamau, who is from the village, said it is his culture to celebrate with his folk every holiday as a way of giving back.

He took the opportunity to educate the villagers about the importance of voting and choosing worthy leaders.

“Majority of these people do not know that the reason we are giving them food is because of the leaders they elect. We want them to know that if they want to have food next Easter, they have to choose good leaders,” he said.

Leaders, Stanley said, directly affect the lives of Kenyans and have the capacity to improve or worsen them.

The philanthropist explained the roles of each leader, from MCA to the President.

“Good leaders will not be voted in by other people. We are the ones to make the changes we want in leadership to make our lives better,” he said.

He urged professionals to go back to their rural homes and teach locals to vote wisely.

This, Stanley said, will make villagers self-reliant and less dependent on the professionals. 

“That way, the lives of Kenyans will improve and people will not be required to support their kin and kith frequently,” he added.

He urged Kenyans to maintain peace during the campaigns.

“A neighbour will remain a neighbour even after the election. Do not fight over politicians with someone who could help you in your time of need,” he said.

The CEO urged the government to donate food to Kenyans hit by the drought instead of sending them cash.

It's difficult for people to steal all the relief food and the intended persons will benefit, Stanley said.

“People entrusted to take the Cash Transfer money to the intended residents sometimes do not, but food can be distributed by community health workers,” he said.

Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya