Central listed among the starving regions

By Francis Ngige and Paul Mutua

Many residents of agriculturally rich Central Province have relied on relief food in recent months due to erratic rainfall in parts of the region.

In places where relief food had never been offered, it has become the norm with hundreds of residents, especially in the vast Kieni Division of Nyeri District.

But the onset of the long rains has offered a relief and the region is green again.

Residents hope it will make an impact though some parts of Nyeri, Murang’a and Nyandarua districts have received very low rainfall.

Crops in some areas have withered, leaving farmers with no option but to join the long queues for relief food.

The most affected are Lamuria, Ngobit, Mugunda, Kiawara, Komu, Kienjero, Muthangira and Ruricho.

The situation is not likely to improve soon as the long rains, which started last month, have not been enough for planting in some places.

Residents say although the rains have come, they do not have seeds to plant.

Those who planted on the onset of the rains in March are counting losses as the crops have withered.

Pastor Bernard Muthoga of Komu village in Kieni East says the situation is not likely to improve soon.

He says for the past seven years, residents have relied on relief food due to erratic rainfall. Muthoga appeals to the Government to start irrigation projects.

"The Ewaso Nyiro River passes through the area and the Government should start an irrigation project to support farming," he says.

Most livestock have died, forcing the once thriving dairy co-operative societies to collapse.

Ms Regina Wangui, a resident of Kienjero, says most locals rely on weeds that have sprung after the short rains to feed their families.

Nyeri North DC Francis Komen has promised more relief food to hungry residents. He said the last relief food consignment was distributed last month, and 1,000 bags of maize will be given out next week.

"We are aware of the situation and the Government will continue providing food until residents are self-reliant," he said.

Food security

Meanwhile, food security is still a problem in Kitui despite the onset of long rains.

Last season, rainfall failed in eight of the ten divisions and crops withered. Most livestock have become weak due to lack of pasture and water. But the water shortage in Chuluni and Central divisions has, however, eased.

But in most parts, the rain received last month was low and many water sources were not replenished.

Natural vegetation continues to decline in Mutonguni, Matinyani, Yatta, Mutito and Mwitika divisions.

In Central and Chuluni divisions, the situation has considerably improved and grass is growing.

The Kitui Arid Lands Resource Management Project II monthly bulletin for April shows that most residents harvested water from their roofs.

A data analyst at the District Arid Lands office, Mr Michael Kimithi, said the price of cattle has gone up.

 

 

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