Over 140,000 people in Makueni county are at risk of facing starvation because of the prevailing drought that has hit the country.
The National Government on Monday (1st November) started a food distribution exercise to cushion residents bearing the pangs of hunger.
Makueni County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim led the exercise in Kathonzweni area where 23 families were given relief food. He revealed that 15 wards out of the 30 in the county are the ones that are greatly affected by hunger.
The exercise will see 4,500 bags of rice, 1,800 bags of maize, 2,700 bags of beans, and 630 cartons of cooking fat and fortified food for those under 5 years distributed. Each family is set to receive 10kg of rice and 5-6kg of beans.
“Almost everywhere there is drought but there are areas which are mostly affected. 15 wards out of 30 are much affected. These places include Kathonzweni, Thwake, Thange, Kasikeu, Mavindini, Kitise, Kalawa, Nguu, Mulala, Kikumbulyu among others,” said the commissioner.
Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared drought as National Disaster and instructed the National Treasury and the Ministry of Interior to spearhead government efforts to assist affected households including water and relief food distribution as well as livestock uptake.