By Obegi Malack
Kajiado County residents who have been hit by drought have called on well-wishers to support them in order to keep their children in school.
The desperation of the families was witnessed during the distribution of food by climate activist Vivian Looremetta in collaboration with Maa Museum. The duo saw food donations to the elderly people in Onyonyori Kajiado West Constituency who have been affected by drought.
Some of the residents said that apart from having no food, they have not been able to keep their children in school.
They called on well-wishers to sponsor their children and equip the schools for learning to proceed smoothly.
Daniel Saitaga of Onyonyori in Kajiado West said the village is among most affected where drought has seen families unable to take children to school.
Some of the school-going children are taking care of their parents while others are grazing family livestock instead of being in school.
“We need bursaries from the county, for the children to be able to report to school,” he said.
Looremetta called on well-wishers and governments to come into aid of the people who are now starving. She said national government should provide food in schools and support the students to get back to school through bursaries.
The activist said that long-term solution for hunger in the region is the community investing in education, children dropping out of school will cause more challenges such as pregnancies. She noted that the community should not rely fully on livestock keeping.
“The community should be educated on better ways of earning a livelihood such as new ways of farming. They should practice hydroponics which can feed human beings and cattle with less costs,” she said.
Charles Leshore of Maa Museum said the drought is due to the impact of climate change and that long-term solution must be taken such as planting of trees and total ban of charcoal business.
The drought has affected many residents including patients who cannot take drugs in empty stomachs as cases of malnutrition in children have also increased. The community has lost thousands of their livestock to the drought.
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