- Mitangani area Chief Stephen Thethe says about 80 per cent of the population is greatly affected by hunger after rains failed for the last four years.
- Thethe expressed concerns that most people who are on ARV drugs are not taking their drugs because of lack of food.
Image: ELIAS YAA
Many families in Mitangani location, Bamba in Kilifi county, are facing imminent starvation as drought ravages the area.
Mitangani chief Stephen Thethe says about 80 per cent of the location's population is greatly affected by hunger after rains failed for the last four years.
“This translates to about 12,000 people who are in dire need of food aid. For the last four years, we have not received rainfall that can sustain crops. This has made the area vulnerable and as I speak, there is no family that has food stock in their gallery harvested from their farms,” Thethe said.
The administrator said many people flock to his office asking for food.
“Some people come to my office asking for food. Some may have spent even three days without eating. If I have money I buy them food to save the situation and sometimes contact friends to ask for their support. The number is ever increasing and the situation is getting out of hand,” he said.
The chief expressed concerns that most people who are on ARV drugs are not taking their drugs because of lack of food.
“I received three residents who said they are on ARVs but they had not taken the drugs because they need to take a meal before taking the drugs. This is a worrying trend,” he added.
Safari Chengo, a blind father of eight and a charcoal burner said he is not able to go on with his business because of lack of food.
All his children have also not reported to school due to hunger.
“To cut the tree you need to have eaten something. I sometimes go for days without a meal. Sometimes I am forced to go begging from people because no shopkeeper wants to give me food on credit,” he said.
Jira Primary School chairperson Moses Kenga said half of the students at the school are not attending classes due to hunger.
Kenga said over 300 students have not reported to school since it reopened for the third term.
The school has an enrolment of over 700 but only 400 students have reported back to school.
“If the government can reintroduce the school feeding programme, the retention rate at the school would be enhanced. This hardship area depends on charcoal burning as the main economic activity. We know this is not sustainable but we have no option,” he said.
Bamba MCA Said Mohammed said there are some deaths in the area which could easily be associated with hunger.
Mohammed called for well wishers to partner with the government and send relief food to the area.
“I have had a conversation with the county executive and I hope something will be done. I have been distributing relief food at a personal level but the demand is too high,” he said.