Some 6,000 residents in semi-arid Thika East Sub-county have received relief food as hunger continues to bite in the area, worst hit being the school going child.
The beneficiaries decried that despite heavy rains pounding the region, most locals are still faced with acute hunger.
“We planted the little we had and this has seen most families suffer from hunger. Nowadays putting food on the table has become an uphill task. The worst hit are school children. We are however grateful for the little we have received today,” said Mary Njoki, a resident.
The locals from Maguguni, Ndula, Gatuanyaga, Muguga and Munyu villages braved Monday evening heavy downpour to get the government food rations distributed by area MP Alice Ng’ang’a.
They received beans and rice that will sustain them for a few days. At some point the locals grew impatient and scrambled for the food while queuing.
They however expressed optimism of getting a bumper harvest should the rains continue to pound the region as already farms are flourishing with maize and beans crops.
“We hope the rains extend to around June, and then we will be assured of a huge harvest in August or September,” Peter Munyua, another resident, said.
MP Ng’ang’a echoed the locals’ sentiments saying that thousands of residents in the area are still sleeping hungry. She noted that the worst hit part is Thika East which usually receives minimal rainfall.
“The situation is still dire in most areas but we are hoping that the tides will turn and our people will harvest enough produce from their farms, thanks to the ongoing rains. I urge everyone to take advantage of the rains and grow crops in large scale so as to be food secure,” Ng’ang’a said.
The MP reiterated the government’s efforts to enhance food security in the country citing construction of mega dams to harvest rain water and initiation and revival of irrigation projects.
“The government is working round the clock to ease the burden of high cost of living on Kenyans. We have witnessed prices of commodities like Maize flour reducing gradually. We are hoping that by September, everything will be stabilized,” she said.
After rains failed in successive seasons across the country leaving millions facing starvation, Kenyans now have high hopes of bumper harvests as rains continue to pound across the country.
By Kamau Njoroge
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