Government urged to disburse relief food in Samburu

Samburu County Women Representative Maison Leshoomo has urged the national government to disburse relief food to combat looming hunger in Samburu County.
Leshoomo said many families have been unable to make ends meet after the government banned people from going to livestock markets to reduce congestion and avoid spreading of corona virus.
“There is hunger in Samburu County after government banned people from going to livestock markets three weeks ago to sell livestock. These people depend on selling livestock for income and now things are very difficult for them,” she noted.
She said many Samburu residents were unable to put food on the table amidst the corona virus restrictions adding that children were at home and in need of food.
“The special programmes department ought to look at this region because children are in homes. People are remaining in their homes and nobody is leaving to go look for work in Maralal, Baragoi and Suguta towns,” she said.
An affected resident, one Eyanai, supported Leshoomo’s sentiments saying people who relied on menial jobs and small businesses were the worst hit after the government issued regulations to deal with coronavirus.
“I am a casual labourer and we are greatly affected since there are no jobs. Our families are sleeping hungry and the government should intervene,” he said while urging government to donate relief food.
They were speaking at Ms. Leshoomo’s office in Maralal town Samburu central sub county yesterday where she donated soaps, water containers and facemasks to traders to help in fighting corona virus.
Leshoomo asked locals to be extra vigilant and observe government directives including keeping social distance, washing hands regularly, and staying at home to avoid the corona virus.
By Robert Githu