Children forced out of school in Mt Elgon as families survive on a meal a day

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By Stephen Makabila

School attendance in Mt Elgon District has declined due to famine, the local Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) office has said.

Local Knut Secretary Willy Masai said most of the affected schools are in Kopsiro Division.

"Hunger has forced many children out school. Some families go for two or three days without a proper meal. Urgent intervention is necessary," said Mr Masai.

The famine, residents claim, has so far claimed a life, but the Provincial Administration has denied the allegation.

"Children sleep on empty stomachs and most fail to go to school the next morning. Those who make it can barely concentrate in class," added Masai.

Mt Elgon DC Farrah Kassim admitted there was famine, but said the situation may change in a month’s time.

"The famine may not be threatening in the next one to two months because early maturing crops will be ready," he told ‘The Standard’.

The district is a major source of food in the region, and residents are worried of low production due to erratic rainfall this season.

In February, Western PC Abdul Mwasserah had indicated that the province required at least a million bags of maize to contain the famine.

Mr Mwasserah also promised that no resident would go hungry since the Government would provide relief food.

Government officials had earlier confirmed that eight of the 19 districts were facing famine.

And in the past month, maize prices have increased by Sh800 a bag. Maize traders have taken advantage of diminishing supplies to raise prices from Sh3,200 to Sh4,000 a bag, with the two-kilogramme tin selling at Sh100, up from Sh80.

Ms Mary Wanjala, a resident, said: "Maize prices have gone beyond the reach of many. Most people now make do with one meal a day."