Help drought victims, Garissa clergy urge Kenyans

Religious leaders in Garissa have urged Kenyans to unite and help their fellow citizens facing starvation due to drought.

The leaders urged Kenyans of good will to donate food and money to those dying of hunger.

They spoke on Thursday after a meeting of the Garissa Interfaith Network under the banner of Inter- Religious Council of Kenya .

Sheikh Hassan Amey said the northern frontier counties have faced drought for years, depriving residents of their source of income and livelihood.

“The situation in these counties is not good. As we wait for more foreign donors to chip in and help, let us do something as Kenyans and help our neighbours who are going without food,” he said.

“The state of the economy is also not good. Prices for basic commodities have continued to rise above our income, such that we cannot afford them.” 

Amey further urged the government to work on austerity measures such as salary cuts for public and state officers, so that money can be used to uplift the economy.

Rev John Mwaura urged the government to increase relief food distribution to affected households, to cushion them from starvation.

He also urged all elected leaders to formulate a plan for a more sustainable drought mitigation programme.

The leaders further thanked residents for keeping peace before, during and after the August 9 polls.

They commended the aspirants who conceded defeat or decided to pursue legal options without inciting people to violence.

Kenya Red Cross Society says 378,000 people in Garissa face starvation as the number rises daily.

The drought has affected 23 counties with about 3.5 million Kenyans severely affected.

The agency said if it does not rain in October, November and December, the number of those affected will rise to 420,000, half of Garissa's population.

The Meteorological Department weather outlook projects depressed rainfall across all ASAL counties during the October-December rain season due to La Nina.

This presents the prospect of a fifth failed rain season.

About 4.35 million Kenyans in 10 counties will need humanitarian assistance by October as drought continues to wreak havoc.

Last week, a group of elected leaders from Northeastern asked President William Ruto to declare the ongoing drought a national disaster for the affected counties to get more aid.

The leaders said the drought has caused untold suffering, with many families going days without food.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)