The county assembly of Meru on Tuesday suspended normal business to deliberate on the drought that is ravaging some parts of the county.
The matter was brought up by the majority whip and Athwana MCA Jim Muchui who had written a letter to the speaker seeking to have the issue discussed by the members for a solution.
He told the members to treat the matter as urgent with a view to helping the affected households, both in short term and on long-term basis.
He added that the drought being experienced in the semi-arid parts of the county including Igembe North and Central, Buuri and Imenti Central has affected many sectors including education.
Muchui said many students were not going to school due to hunger because some parents fled their homes in search of jobs.
In line with this, he urged both the national and county governments to incorporate school feeding programmes in the affected areas to curb absenteeism.
He termed the current situation an embarrassment to the county.
Muchui also asked the government to identify drought-resistant crops and encourage their cultivation in affected areas to promote food security.
"The government should chip in and structure a way to deal with the drought by providing seeds that can survive the long dry seasons. If action is not taken, our people will still be asking for relief food," he said.
The Athwana ward rep was seconded by Kiome Makasi (Nkuene ward) who asked the government to identify households which are most affected.
He also insisted on the need to establish emergency kitties to cater to drought-stricken areas.
Abothuguchi West MCA Patrick Muthuri said it was time for government and other stakeholders to find a long-lasting solution rather than relying on relief food whenever drought is experienced.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)
