• “This is a blessing from God. We can’t imagine that it is raining despite a prolonged drought,” Josephine Mwende said.
• The government said more than 500,000 Machakos residents face starvation as a result of drought and negative effects of climate change.
Image: GEORGE OWITI
Machakos residents are optimistic that the current hunger brought by the prolonged drought will soon be a thing of the past.
They said the situation will normalise as rain falls in some of the nine subcounties.
“This is a blessing from God. We can’t imagine that it is raining despite a prolonged drought,” Josephine Mwende said.
Mwende spoke to the Star at Katatha Catholic Church in Masinga, Machakos county on Sunday.
A spot check by the Star in most parts of the county established that farmers, majority of who had prepared their farms are already planting.
Some of the seeds of various food crops were donated by the Machakos government weeks ago.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti on October 21, issued free seeds to farmers in all the 40 wards during the launch of ‘Chakula Mezani free seeds programme.’
“I flagged off a consignment of assorted seeds worth Sh34 million, which we procured under our comprehensive food security programme for Machakos residents,” Ndeti said.
The initiative was launched at Tala Primary School Grounds in Matungulu subcounty.
The county boss said she had directed the department of Agriculture to disburse the seeds to 1,500 vulnerable farmers in each of the 40 wards.
John Mutua said they are already busy on their farms, hoping for a bumper harvests due to the improving weather conditions in the county.
“We are planting maize, beans, among other food crops. The rains found our lands tilled and ready for planting,” Mutua said.
Several parts of the 40 wards in Machakos county are currently experiencing rains.
Residents said they are optimistic that they will no-longer experience hunger as a result of drought.
Earlier, the government said more than 500,000 Machakos residents face starvation.
Kenya National Union of Teachers, Yatta subcounty branch secretary Michael Ngui said children and women are hard hit, with 30 per cent failing to report to school.
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi urged residents to plant as many trees as possible to counter effects of climate change.
“As far as the climate is concerned, it’s critical that we urge our people to plant as many trees as possible so that we increase green vegetation,” he said.
Mwangangi addressed the press at Katatha Catholic church in Masinga subcounty on Sunday.
He said afforestation is important due to the global increase in population.
"People cleared forests to pave way for development of either factories or structures, leading to much negative environmental effects," he added.
Mwangangi said it is therefore important to regain control of the situation by increasing vegetation cover through planting trees and fruits such as mangoes, which grow and become big trees.
“By planting trees you gain shed as well as fruits. I urge our people during this season, please as much as you can, plant 100,000 or even a million trees. If you have the capacity, buy and donate seedlings for people to plant,” he said.
The deputy governor said those who aren’t able to afford trees should seek support and ensure they protect the environment.
Mwangangi futher wished all KCPE and KCSE students success in their upcoming national examination.
“I know teachers have worked hard in preparing children, while students and pupils have also done a lot in learning as they prepare for the exams. May God grant them success as they prepare to sit their exams,” he said.