• Twitter users have hit back at the government for watering down dire drought
• National Disaster Management Authority CEO Oduor says deaths reported in the media could not be linked to drought
Image: JOSEPH KANGOGO
Kenyans on Twitter have hit back at the government for watering down the drought impact.
On Tuesday KOT expressed their rage after the government rebutted claims that more than 20 people had lost their lives in the drought 13 counties.
National Disaster Management Authority CEO James Oduor on Monday said the deaths reported in the media could not be linked to the drought.
Oduor said it could be a result of sickness and other causes, not the drought.
Deputy President William Ruto also on Monday said there was no cause for alarm as the country has enough food.
Ruto said the government had approved the release of Sh2 billion for food and water to the parched area.
But KOT said it was insensitive for the DP to downplay the reports that people are losing lives.
Through a hashtag #WeCannotIgnore, Kenyans said the government should own up to the problem and declare the drought situation a national disaster.
“Let's not wait for more drought deaths to act, the govt is dismissive, It says no one has died due to drought, an insult? As Kenyans, #WeCannotIgnore the situation, it's horrific, our countrymen/women are dying. A long-lasting solution is needed! Bad leadership?” Mwangi Maina tweeted.
Twitter user Sesmoh questioned, “What kind of government do we have? People are dying of hunger, then these guys have the guts to tell Kenyans that no one has died of hunger? So mad right now, these guys are treating us Kenyans as jokers. #WeCannotIgnore this anymore. Do we have a government in the first place?”
Other Twitter users have accused DP Ruto of being a liar, and the Jubilee government OF being a fraud.
“#WeCannotIgnore drought deaths. DP Ruto has become a pathological liar.... he lied stadiums would be completed in months, he lied only Sh7bn was missing, now he says no one has died due to hunger. A govt that can't feed its population is a failed govt,” François K tweeted.
Sheehraw said, “The level of irresponsibility from GOK is worrying. In this digital era, we are able to get footage from all over the world. Lying with a straight face to save face is not it!”
Sammy Wetala tweeted, “When it’s time for elections, these politicians will fundraise for resources to travel in every corner of the country to ask for votes, but now mwananchi is asking for food and they can only serve them with speeches in 5-star hotels. They're ignoring our calls but #WeCannotIgnore.”
According to the government, 1.2 million people are at risk of death from famine, making a total of 14.7 million Kenyans being without food.
Deputy President William Ruto said the government has issued Sh2 billion to supply food and water to the 1.1 million Kenyans affected by drought.
“There should be no cause for alarm at the moment; the government has put in place both at the county and national level interventions to manage the current drought,” Ruto said.