About 1,600 households in Laikipia County have benefited from relief food provided by the National Government aimed at cushioning them against the ongoing ravaging drought in the region.
Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner, Patrick Muli, noted that the Ministry of Devolution donated a total of 400 bags of beans and 300 bags of rice which was distributed to the severely affected households.
“We gave some priority to the special groups like Persons With Disabilities and orphaned children, the rest was distributed through local chiefs,” Muli revealed, adding at least seven locations benefited.
The Deputy County Commissioner called upon the well-wishers and other Non-Governmental institutions to join hands in supporting the drought-stricken families in Laikipia.
Nanyuki location, Segera and Umande location in Laikipia East are among four other locations which benefitted.
Laikipia County was cited by the government among the twelve Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties which are drought stricken.
According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the 2021 long rain seasons assessment report shows that about 25,900 households are in need of food assistance in Laikipia.
Further, an estimated 2.1 million people are facing acute food shortage and need of humanitarian assistance countrywide. The food shortage has been attributed to lack of enough rainfall, Covid-19 pandemic effects which rendered people jobless, among other issues.
By Muturi Mwangi
