By Amoto Ndiewo
The prolonged drought has disrupted learning activities and has resulted in many school going children in Wajir County having to remain at home; resorting to help parents in fetching for food and water.
According to National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) January report, almost 90 per cent of water sources in Wajir have dried up in most parts of the county since the rains have failed.
“How do you expect a hungry child to go to school yet he/she has to walk 20km searching for water,’’ posed Ali Jilalo, a village elder in Habaswein village.
He said the residents have to bear the brunt of trekking long distances to fetch water in few remaining water points.
“Regrettably, those who cannot walk have to buy a 20 litre jerry-can at a cost of between Sh100 to Sh150 brought by donkeys, camels, motorcycles or water boozers,” added Jilalo.
He said that though there was little rain recently, it did not change the situation.
“As a result the county has lost tens of herds of livestock to famine and drought thus affecting the livelihood of 200,000 residents,’’ said Ali who fears if the situation worsens more children will drop out of school.
He said the most affected children are in lower grades and Early Childhood Development Education classes.
The residents are now calling on well-wishers, the National Government and the international community for food and water relief.
“We also want water dams and boreholes sunk to help in future to boost vegetation and milk production. due to boundary conflict they can’t move out of the region, this leaves us stranded as existing land has no pasture and the unforgiving drought is far from over,’’ said Ahmed Muktar, the Govenor of Wajir County.
The governor said the emaciated livestock can neither produce enough milk nor good prices in the market.
