An assortment of food relief has started being received at the villages in the drought ravaged county of Marsabit.
County commissioner Paul Rotich said the government was committed to alleviating hunger among thousands of locals who are afflicted by prolonged drought.
Mr. Rotich said 162,000 kilograms of beans, 90,000 kilograms of rice and 900 cartons of canned beef was being distributed to residents who have lost sources of livelihood.
The food rations which he said was being distributed in all the 9 sub-counties that include Marsabit Central, Loiyangalani, North Horr, Sololo and Dukana would be sustained until the affected families are out of the hook.
Other sub-counties where crops have failed and livestock died in their hundreds due drought, rendering communities hapless include Marsabit South, Turbi, Moyale and Marsabit North
He directed deputy commissioners to make sure that the exercise was not only efficient but transparent in order to ensure that no needy case was left out.
Marsabit County has suffered rain failure in the last four seasons, a situation which has continued to render many families, majority of whom are pastoralists, food insecure.
Currently, 175,871 residents are living on humanitarian aid that include food rations and water as well as animal feeds for their surviving livestock.
The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) puts the figure of residents supposed to be living under humanitarian aid which include food rations and water at around 321,000.
The dire situation said to be largely driven by climate change has crippled the performance of the livestock and crop sectors which are the main source of livelihood for the locals.
Marsabit Central Deputy County Commissioner David Saruni told KNA that all the eleven locations in his jurisdiction were affected by both drought and famine.
He said that special groups like internally displaced persons (IDPs), persons living with disabilities (PWDs) and those living with HIV were also being targeted for the assistance.
By Sebastian Miriti
