Women flee homes in Mwingi as drought persists

Some residents from Kilulu area, Mwingi North have said a majority of the women have fled to seek manual jobs in Garissa as drought persists.

They said the area has not received rain in the last three years and the famine has seen many couples parting ways.

Musili Muange, a resident said if the government doesn't intervene and distribute food in Kitui, many lives might be lost.

"During campaigns, they promised to distribute relief food, but we are staring at starvation yet we are yet to receive anything," he said.

Muange added that most women have fled from their homes following wrangles occasioned by the ongoing drought.

"Families have broken apart and the blame is on men for not being able to provide for their families. Many women left the children with their husbands," he said.

"Women have fled to Garissa county to work as house helps because they are sure they will get food from their bosses' homes."

Residents who solely depend on farming said men are on the verge of taking their own lives due to the pressure of being unable to provide for their families.

"There are no menial jobs now, everything is at standstill, but the role of being breadwinner has not changed," he said.

Sammy Munyoki, said children are on the receiving end as there is no food both at home and at school.

"How can a child concentrate in class when they had only porridge at home, others have had nothing to eat at all," he said.

Munyoki said that many learners have abandoned school and this will negatively affect their performance. He pleaded with the government to embark on distributing relief food.

"We want relief food that can last us for days before the rains come," he said.

Muthio Musili, a widow and a mother of four said times are tough for her as her four children depend on her yet she has no job.

"We sleep on empty stomachs most of the time," Muthio said.

She also called on the county government to consider distributing seedlings as farmers prepare for the rainy season.

Area MCA, Munyoki Mwinzi said apart from acute water scarcity in the region, hunger has hit the area hard.

"We are staring at the worst famine and I plead with the government to intervene," he said.

However, chief Sammy Nzau pleaded with residents to be more patient as the government has plans to distribute food in the area.

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe speaking on Sunday at Kitui AIC said residents are staring at starvation. He said they are eagerly waiting for relief food distribution.

"Kitui is included in the counties that are in the alarm stage. If it means traveling to Nairobi to bring the food I will," Malombe said.

(Edited by Tabnacha O)