Narok County Women Representative Ms. Rebecca Tonkei has distributed relief food to 1500 families that were severely affected by drought at Erang’ata nderit area in Narok South Sub County.
The food that included beans, cooking fat, maize flour and rice was given to the most vulnerable families in the area that have been struggling to place a plate of food on the table.
Tonkei asked residents to plant trees in the area, during rainy seasons, so as to mitigate effects of climate change in the country.
The Women Rep who was accompanied by Narok Governor’s wife Mrs. Agnes Ntutu and Naroosura Member of Parliament Mr. Daniel Kirelai said a time has come for the residents to conserve the environment by using alternative sources of energy to preserve trees.
“Our president has been telling us and I repeat, that we should all plant and protect trees as the current situation is very worrying,” she said, adding that burning charcoal and logging will lead to more destruction of the environment.
She took issue with those obstructing water for irrigation in the upper parts of rivers saying they were interfering with the smooth flow of water as the water levels has gone down.
Tonkei issued a seven days’ ultimatum to the farmers through the Water Resource Authority (WRA) to remove generators they use to pump water from the river’s banks, failure to which she threatened to move in person to remove the generators.
“We cannot be so mean that we want everything for ourselves yet our brothers are suffering downstream. The little resources we have must benefit everybody,” she said.
Her sentiments were echoed by Mrs. Ntutu who said the county government will ensure non obstruction of water in the up-streams so that those living downstream will benefit from the little water that flows.
Last week, the office of the First Lady Mrs. Racheal Ruto, through the Joyful Women Organization (JOYWO) donated foodstuff to about 3, 000 families at Ntuka area in Narok South Sub County.
Several parts of the county are hard-hit by the ongoing dry season with the Meteorological Department in the county predicting onset of long rains to come in the last week of March.
By Ann Salaton
