• MCAs and residents demand postponement of cultural bash
• Say fete benefits greedy leaders and funds should help needy people
Turkana residents and MCAs demand the county's annual Sh20 million cultural festival be suspended so funds can feed the starving people who are just skin and bones.
The Tobong'lore festival is scheduled between April 25 and 28.
Resident shave protested the cultural showcase, saying soon there will be no culture to showcase as Turkana people are skeletons.
Festival fund should be used for food, water and medical care, they say.
Residents said the event known as Tobong'lore (Welcome Come Back) is a waste of resources during this drought emergency.
Turkwel MCA Stephen Edukon on Wednesday gave a notice of motion to postpone the festival and channel funds into drought relief.
"We want funds to help people who are starving, funds should be directed to cushion people, "Edukon said.
The Turkana County Assembly will discuss the motion next week.
Residents and bloggers have accused the county of wasting money instead of using it for emergencies and development, like building water pans and digging boreholes.
The annual Tobonglore event celebrates the rich culture of the Ateker community, including the Turkana and Iteso from Kenya, the Karamoja from Uganda, the Toposa from South Sudan and the Lonyangatom from Ethiopia.
Resident Johnstone Ikeno of Lodwar said, "There's no need to celebrate if our people are dying ."
Lodwar resident Patrick Ekiru said the party is meant to benefit a few county officials who get additional funds from donors.
"Tobong'lore should be stopped by all means. Enough is enough for greedy leaders," Ekiru said.