As the ongoing drought continues to devastate parts of the country, the National Drought Management Authority says all seven sub-counties in Kajiado have been adversely affected.
A report released by the NDMA on Wednesday night reveals that 110,000 households and 400,000 livestock have been affected.
Kajiado’s county drought coordinator Hussein Aliyo told the Star that if there is no urgent intervention, the results could be devastating.
Aliyo said every household has six family members on average and in this case, a total of 660,000 people are on the verge of losing their lives.
“According to our survey, all the seven sub-counties in East, North, South, Central, Mashuuru, North, and West of the region are facing the worst drought in many years,” said Aliyo.
He said that parts of the Kajiado South sub-county have been hit by human/wildlife conflicts over water and pasture in areas surrounding Kyulu Hills.
The NDMA says human/wildlife conflicts in some instances have caused the loss of livestock because the wild animals are moving out of the national parks to human habitats in large numbers.
“Due to the drought situation, the people of Kajiado living in sand harvesting areas have now resorted to the mining of the resources which is not healthy for the environment,” said the NDMA.
Earlier on Wednesday, Governor Joseph Lenku with other stakeholders flagged off relief food to the sub-counties affected by the drought.
The Food and Agricultural Organisation is also supporting the communities affected by the drought, according to NDMA.
In partnership with the national government, the county government flagged off 126,000 kg of beans, 70,000 kg of rice, and canned beef.
About two weeks ago, the county disaster and emergency unit distributed 4,800 kgs of rice, 1,000 kgs of beans, 4,000 kgs of maize meal, and 30,000 litres of cooking oil.
Lenku said any further support from well-wishers will be received by a committee formed in the county which comprises officials from the local and national governments.
