By Obegi Malack
Kajiado County deputy governor Martin Moshisho has said that the ongoing drought has greatly affected learners and some parts of the region to the extent that schools are nearly shutting down.
Moshisho, who was speaking in his office after flagging off donations consisting of food and sanitary towels from Sawaina Foundation to affected families, said there were reports of learners collapsing in school due to hunger.
He however pointed out that the county government has been calling for donors to support the affected people and a number have responded positively.
Sawaina Foundation distributed the donations to locals of Torosei, Kajiado West – the most affected region in the county.
The Foundation Founder, Journalist Zipporah Sawaina said the group had collected food and other stuff from donors and well-wishers among them Letshego.
“The drought situation in this village is severe. I thank friends and well-wishers who trusted the foundation and chose to give to the community,” she said.
While urging the community to plant trees, she stated that they will facilitate a training to brainstorm on long-term solutions to mitigate drought in the area.
Sawaina who was born in the village said she had seen her community suffer for a long time and challenged the government to provide water which is a rare commodity.
Ngong’ sub county Hospital medical officer, Dr. Jane Saoli, who is also a member of the Foundation pointed out that apart from food distribution, they also held health awareness campaigns where they sensitized young girls on effects of teenage pregnancies and marriages.
Another member, Charity Silantoi said the county government had supported the community but called for more support.
Torosei Location assistant chief Paul Karionkei said that drought had hit them hard and were calling for support.
Penina Indai, a local, said that she had lost three cows already and called on the county government to chip in and provide much needed solutions.
