Nyeri County government has set aside Sh. 11 million to be used in availing relief supplies to hunger stricken families.
Huge swathes of the usually rich agricultural region are reeling under the weight of a severe drought that has left hundreds of families without food and dependent on relief food.
About 131,000 people across the county are facing food deficits and are relying on relief donations from both the county and national government as well as well-wishers in order to meet their food requirements.
Kieni sub-county is the worst hit with an estimated 52,000 people in need of food assistance.
The prices of food commodities in the region like maize, potatoes and beans have shot up by almost 60 per cent more compared to the last three months leaving hundreds of families unable to meet their daily food requirements.
Area Governor Mutahi Kahiga while launching the Drought Mitigation Committee regretted that his administration was grappling with an increasing number of people in need of relief food interventions in a period when funding was a major constraint.
He, however said his government will strive to use the little resources available to upscale provision of subsidized farm inputs including fertilizer in preparation for the coming planting season.
By Kiamah Wamutitu
