No green results in Nyanza as food prices remain high

By Peter Atsiaya and John Oywa

Despite hope and relief occasioned by the onset of rains in many parts of the country, drought stricken parts of Nyanza Province remain on the famine alert list.

It rained yesterday in Homa Bay and parts of South Nyanza, but the downpour is yet to cause any green results to alleviate hunger.

Majority of Nyanza’s six million people are facing severe food shortage as famine, caused by a prolonged drought and high cost of food, take its toll on rural villagers.

Worst hit are the province’s more than 700,000 orphans, majority of whom are under care of aging and poor grandmothers.

Government officials say the orphans and their caregivers are starving because the price of maize floor, the staple food in the region, has shot beyond their reach.

According to the Nyanza Provincial Children’s Officer Charles Ondogo, there are more than 720,000 orphans in the province, 80 per cent of them orphaned by Aids.

With the prize of maize flour peaking at Sh100 per 2kg packet in most of the areas, majority of the villagers cannot afford it and are surviving by the grace of God, he said.

"I have four children and three grandchildren who are orphans. I buy two tins of maize and I use ten shillings to have it milled. This can only serve us for a day," said Martha Aomo, a fishmonger.

In Nyatike, the situation has forced children to drop out of school to help their parents search for food.

Current rains

Migori District Education Officer Pamela Akelo says although the current rains improved the situation in some areas, many families were still starving.

"At least now some families can get vegetables, but the price of maize meal remains unaffordable to many," said Mrs Akelo.

In Gwasi, Suba District, more than 80,000 people are faced with severe starvation, according to area MP John Mbadi.

He said famine that has hit the area was caused by prolonged drought, which led to crop failure in two seasons.

 

 

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