How Kenyans reacted to official neglect of the hungry

By Maseme Machuka

‘The Standard’ readers reacted with shock and disbelief at what they termed political neglect, which they said had led to hunger and death.

Many were irked by the fact that the Grand Coalition went on with political fights as Kenyans starved.

The Standard Online desk received a steady stream of calls and an avalanche of e-mails from readers who criticised the Government’s failed agricultural and trade policies.

Kenyans were moved by the frail, near-death, hungry picture of Ethuko Nangole, aged about 60, found by a Standard team that surveyed the situation in January at Kalokol, Turkana Central.

Nation’s shame

"I wept when I saw the picture of Ethuko Nangole," wrote Mr Edwin Owino. "Actually, it is not only saddening, but also shameful to our great nation."

"How can our MPs justify their huge salaries as fellow Kenyans suffer?" wondered a reader from the United States.

"Has God left Kenya?" posed another, writing from Taiwan, who saw a spiritual twist to the people’s sufferance:

"Very sad to read this story. This woman (Nangole) is dying while politicians are selling her food for profit in (Southern) Sudan," wrote a clearly upset Florence Muriithi from the United States of America.

Similarly, Steve Musau, writing from the US, could not hide his disgust: "This situation is nothing short of criminal," fumed Musau.

"What does the word ‘planning’ mean to the Government? What lessons do they learn from one year of famine to (yet another) year of the same?" another Kenyan wrote.

Prof J N Maina, writing from South Africa, was appalled: "Pictures of fellow Kenyans dying of hunger are most depressing."

But Maina ended on an optimistic note, asking how he could help.

The trickle of help, however, remains insufficient as the situation continues to worsen.

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