Residents of Ijara in Garissa County are appealing for speedy intervention measures to counter effects of the current ravaging drought in the area before human lives are lost.
They lamented that the current human suffering cannot wait for data analysis as they lack food and water, with most of their livestock dying in numbers.
The residents led by Ahmed Farah Mohamed and Ali Omar called on both National and County Government, including humanitarian agencies, to rush to their aid as many families go without food as animals also die in large numbers.
“Drought has affected livestock and human livelihood as cattle are dying in large numbers and the only springs water in Jerey water point, drying up for the first time in 80 years,” said Ali Omar.
They said people in the area are in dire need of emergency foodstuff and water, including medicine for children and the elderly.
“We appeal to the government to be quick and save lives, most vulnerable residents including mothers, children and the elderly are suffering, they need to be assisted before death is reported in this region,” noted Mohamed.
Over 50,000 herds of cattle, goats and sheep have migrated to Bothai area in Ijara Constituency, for pasture and water. The area had been the bread basket for Northern Kenya but its currently facing severe drought.
They are also worried of the eminent wildlife-human conflict as wildlife are also out in search of water and pasture, which they share with the resident.
The residents are also asking their leaders who include; the area Member of Parliament (MP), Sophia Abdi Noor, Garissa Senator, Abdul Haji, Members of the County Assembly for Ijara, Dr Irshad Hilowle, Abukar Shide (masalani), Abdullahi Haret (Sangailu) and Adow Omar (Hulugho), to come to the aid of the residents whose livestock have perished.
They commended the National Drought Monitoring Authority and the Kenya Red Cross, for carrying out baseline surveys and data analysis, however, they say emergency mitigation measures need to be undertaken as they wait for survey to be studied and implemented.
By Mohamed Dahir
