The onset of rains in most parts of the country has come as a relief, the Kenya Red Cross Society has said. It has provided hope of pasture to livestock farmers in the next few weeks and water shortage in most urban centres would ease.
The rains have, however, hindered transportation of relief supplies in most parts of North Eastern Province. The latest updates released by the society indicate Turkana District as the most needy as far as food and water distribution is concerned. Currently, 47.6 per cent of Turkana residents rely on food aid from the Government and donors.
"The magnitude of poverty in the district has been worsened by harsh climatic conditions, prevalence of animal and crop diseases, poor livestock marketing systems, unreliable rainfall, insecurity and cattle rustling," said Kenya Red Cross Communications Manager Titus Mung’ou.
Mr Mung’ou said increased rains have hampered transport in the district, as the road to Wajir North was impassable. Relief operations have also been affected in Ijara, Masalani, Bodhai, Sangailu, Sangole, Handaro, Hulugho, Kotille, Busohama and Adanwedhi.
The rains have, however, hindered transportation of relief supplies in most parts of North Eastern Province. The latest updates released by the society indicate Turkana District as the most needy as far as food and water distribution is concerned. Currently, 47.6 per cent of Turkana residents rely on food aid from the Government and donors.
"The magnitude of poverty in the district has been worsened by harsh climatic conditions, prevalence of animal and crop diseases, poor livestock marketing systems, unreliable rainfall, insecurity and cattle rustling," said Kenya Red Cross Communications Manager Titus Mung’ou.
Mr Mung’ou said increased rains have hampered transport in the district, as the road to Wajir North was impassable. Relief operations have also been affected in Ijara, Masalani, Bodhai, Sangailu, Sangole, Handaro, Hulugho, Kotille, Busohama and Adanwedhi.
"The rains have affected transport, including our relief trucks, which cannot access some areas," he said.
KRCS has given North Eastern region has received over 1,934 tonnes of relief food, Eastern region 1,256 tonnes, North West 468 tonnes, South Rift region 75 tonnes, Coast region 162 tonnes and Nairobi 4.6 tonnes.
Through the ‘Mercy Train’ initiative, 80 tonnes of food comprising 72.2 tonnes of maize flour and 7.8 tonnes of cooking oil has been distributed to nine food distribution points. The second leg of the ‘Mercy Train’ is scheduled for April 17 to 19, and will pass through the Nairobi-Kisumu railway route and distribute food to upper Eastern region, North Eastern and Turkana.
