National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) have been put on notice to distribute well relief food supplied to hunger stricken people in Nyatike Sub-County, Migori County.
The area County Commissioner Michael Mwangi Meru particularly warned chiefs who will be directly involved in the distribution of the 1,680 bags of maize and beans that have since arrived in the region not to mishandle the food for their personal gains.
“The law will take its course against those administrators who will mess up with the distribution of the food,” warned Mr. Mwangi, explaining that some of the stiff penalties that would be taken against those found culpable would include dismissal from service and jailing.
In a stern warning statement he issued to the press Wednesday morning, the County boss also asked the three deputy county commissioners (DCCs) whose areas are targeted to ensure that only genuine residents got the food.
The official launch of the food distribution exercise in Nyatike and in Nyanza region as a whole was set off last week by Information, Communications and The Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo.
Some 60,000 homesteads in Nyatike Sub-County alone have been mapped as being in dire need of food as a result the ongoing drought in the country.
However, Mr. Mwangi noted that the food that has since been supplied to Nyatike residents would only be enough for 2,020 people, adding that they were expecting to receive more in the near future.
“That’s why we are keen to have a clean data of the most vulnerable people to be given first priority in the current distribution exercise,” he said, adding:
“We do not want to hear that a genuine case is left to die of hunger while undeserving persons benefit. We will not hesitate to take action against an officer who opts to take such a route of corruption.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Mwangi urged the local people to cooperate with the security agencies in the area to fight rising insecurity in the region, and particularly in Awendo, Uriri and Suna West Sub Counties where more than 20 people have since been killed by marauding gangs in the past two months.
His appeal comes only a few hours today after reports reached his desk of a bizarre murder of a young carpenter on Tuesday night at Nyamilu Village of Uriri Sub County by unknown thugs.
The deceased was literally slaughtered in his matrimonial bed by the thugs as his wife allegedly watched at around 2am. The thugs later left the scene without stealing anything from the victims.
Mr. Mwangi however assured that strict security measures had been taken to protect the residents from criminals.
By George Agimba
