Turkana County Administration has come up with elaborate mitigation measures to address the insecurity and drought impacts in the county.
Speaking during his tour of Kapetadie, Nanam ward in Turkana West Sub-county, which is among the places worst stricken by hunger occasioned by drought and insecurity, which has put people to high risk of deaths due to starvation, Turkana County Executive Committee Member (CEC) of Public Service, Administration and Disaster Management CEC Charles Lokioto has said that the County has elaborate plans and initiatives to deal with the growing insecurity and drought impacts.
The County Executive noted that the tension experienced in the highly volatile area of Turkana West, is fueled by the fight for pasture amid the biting effects of drought, a situation he said had threatened peace and stability enjoyed in the region.
As part of the interventions, Lokioto said that the County government would commit to initiate peace talks externally with the neighbouring countries of South Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda and West Pokot and Baringo Counties internally.
“The County government will strive to ensure dried water pans and boreholes are restored. Currently we are supplying fuel for the water pump in Kapetadie every two weeks as well as supplying water trucks short-term measure in the worst-hit areas,” he said.
Director of Disaster Management Moses Nawoton pointed out that the emergency food being distributed was meant to cushion affected residents from the hard effects of drought and insecurity.
“The county plans to conduct a blanket relief food distribution exercise at the beginning of March, as part of its normal relief cycle,” Nawoton.
James Ekamais, preventive health Officer also confirmed that the County government is conducting disease surveillance for human and livestock across the county in regard to drought impacts, adding that drugs would be distributed to all health and veterinary facilities in the entire county.
“In the meantime, preventive measures are being taken by health officers county-wide,” said Ekamais.
Lokioto further urged the National Government to beef up security in the border areas for the sake of its people adding that the county government would complement the efforts by the national government to ensure sufficient security is realized along the border areas of the county and the neighboring countries and counties.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
