Pay pending bills and solve hunger crisis, UDA urges Mungaro

UDA leaders in Kilifi county have told Governor Gideon Mungaro to address the hunger crisis as thousands of residents are starving.

The leaders who spoke in Kilifi town on Tuesday also urged him to pay pending bills immediately to suppliers and contractors.

They said previously contractors contributed heavily to offer relief but currently, it has been difficult to help because many are broke due to delayed payment.

Kilifi is one of the counties highly affected by drought with Ganze, Magarini, Malindi and Kaloleni being the most affected areas respectively.

Led by Juliet Riziki alias Kachachawa, they said what they saw on TV was sad as a child was crying because he had not eaten for two days due to famine.

She said people were suffering yet elected leaders and the county government remains silent on plans to address their hunger pangs.

"We would like to tell Governor Mungaro that you were elected by the people of Kilifi to address their issues so hit the ground and solve their issues," she said.

Riziki told the governor to give weekly updates on how many people have received food aid to cushion them from the ravaging drought.

Mungaro formed a task force last month to look into the pending bills and gave it 21 days to give him a report on the same.

Riziki also challenged the Woman Rep Gertrude Mbeyu not to remain silent and to use her position to bring in donors to help those affected by drought.

Michael Kithi, from Ganze constituency said the hunger crisis is not new in Kilifi but the leaders have failed to address the perenial problem.

“It's time for us leaders to come together and address the issue and if possible find a permanent solutions,” he said.

Kithi thanked President William Ruto for nominating former Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa and former Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya to Cabinet.

He asked coastal people and leaders to pray for them to be cleared by the vetting panel in Parliament.

Former Ganda ward MCA Abdulrahman Omar said the county has a lot of funds in the disaster management department but wondered why action has not been taken.

He called on the governor to keep politics aside and handle the hunger crisis quickly.

 “I would like urge all coastal leaders to unite and push for the development of the region instead of fighting each other as it has been witnessed previously, it is sad that our region is always faced with the famine and drought,“ he said.

Mwanahamisi Bakari from Mtepeni ward thanked Ruto for recognising Kilifi and Coast at large.

“We are proud of having a woman Cabinet Secretary nominee from Kilifi county, this is historic," she said.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)