By Rugendo Antony
Worth Noting:
- Kalembe called on the National and County government to drill more boreholes in the affected regions noting that this will turn the food-deprived areas into food baskets
- Lauding President William Ruto for appointing Mithika Linturi as the Agriculture CS he called on Linturi to support the drought stricken residents through donating crops and food to the affected region once sworn in.
- “Linturi is a no-nonsense man and am sure he will follow up on relief foods donated and he will ensure that we have a lasting solution to the drought. I call on the parliament to hasten swearing the Cabinet Secretaries,” Kalembe said.
Hundreds of hunger –stricken households in Igembe region, Meru County have received food donation from a former ward representative to cushion them from the biting effects of famine caused by ravaging draught in the region.
The former Ruiri Rwarera MCA –Peter Mutuma Kalembe donated the food after more than 75 Igembe residents were hospitalized at Maua Level Five hospital after consuming meat from a dead Camel.
The relief food was distributed to residents according to their vulnerability as part of the MCA efforts to mitigate the effects of drought in the area.
Speaking to Mt Kenya Times Kalembe said Igembe incident made him volunteer to donate the food to the affected region arguing that hunger could have been the reason why the residents consumed the dead camel.
Kalembe who grew up in a humble family, told media the life of the people in the region reflects his own life when he grew up.
“I was educated through funds contributed by residents. We survived through begging food from our neighbors. Food is a necessity I had no choice rather than helping them,” Kalembe said.
Kalembe, who was ousted from the ward representative seat on August 9, 2022 elections, says among the foodstuffs he distributed to the people, majority of it is from his farm.
“I donated foodstuffs such as maize, bananas, onions, tomatoes, floor among others with majority of it coming from my farm.
Among the regions that received the donation is, Amwathi, Naathu, Antubetwe, Ntunene and Antuambui among other Igembe regions.
According to the MCA, Akathanga, Kiegoi, Kinisa,Mwanika are among the location highly affected by the drought.
“Majority of people in this regions survive from selling animal fodder which they walk for long distances to get in the bush,” he said.
Kalembe called on the National and County government to drill more boreholes in the affected regions noting that this will turn the food-deprived areas into food baskets
Lauding President William Ruto for appointing Mithika Linturi as the Agriculture CS he called on Linturi to support the drought stricken residents through donating crops and food to the affected region once sworn in.
“Linturi is a no-nonsense man and am sure he will follow up on relief foods donated and he will ensure that we have a lasting solution to the drought. I call on the parliament to hasten swearing the Cabinet Secretaries,” Kalembe said.
Kalembe also called the County government and the area County Commissioner to consider using the church leaders during distribution of relief foods donated by the National Government.
Northern part of Meru County has not received adequate rains for the last three consecutive seasons.
More than 200,000 people are facing starvation in Meru County with the National Drought Management Authority County Coordinator Duro Gordana saying they are on red alert to help save lives in several parts of the County with Tigania East, Tigania West, Igembe North and Buuri being the most hit.
Felix Njenga