BY JOSEPH MASHA
Severe drought has hit livestock keeping zones in three districts of Kilifi County, posing a threat to animal survival, the Government has warned.
An early warning report for June from the Ministry of State for Development of Northern Kenya said the situation in Ganze and Bamba divisions of Ganze District had been deteriorating due to lack of rains.
The report signed by the District Drought Management Officer Bethwel Wafula also mentioned parts of Kaloleni District to be among the worst hit by the dry spell.
“Early warning survey has shown deterioration of water sources and drying of green pastures due to low rainfalls,” said Mr Wafula.
“Seasonal rivers have now dried up and the only sources are water pans and dams which are also threatened.
The officer said livestock farmers are now forced to travel long distances in search of greener pastures and water.
Severe drought
“Families are forced to travel long distances as they search for greener pastures and water for their lives due to the severe drought facing the region,” said Mr Wafula.
The drought has also affected crop production as most of them withered before maturity during the last rainy season, he told The Standard.
He said most school children in Ganze and Kaloleni districts depend on school feeding programmes supported by World Food Program and the World Vision.
‘School children in the drought hit region of kaloleni and Ganze are being retained in schools because of the feeding programs supported by the World Vision feeding programs as most of their families lack food due to poor farm crop harvests exprienced last season,” explained Mr Wafula.
