Lest we forget; millions could die of hunger

While the country is deeply engrossed in the unfolding, yet unending drama of politics and the matter of illegal land acquisition at the coast, the pangs of hunger and a drought that appear not to have registered with the political elite continue to claim lives.

The Kenya Red Cross says four people have died of starvation in Baragoi, Samburu County. These deaths are reported to have occurred last week. The numbers given are official figures that fail to capture the actual data because it is said more people have died at Logetei.

Elsewhere in Baringo, the tale of woes and death is the same. However, the issue is not the statistics involved, but the fact that at this point and stage in our country's development, citizens should be left to die quietly in far-flung villages without the Government either bailing them out directly or calling for local or international assistance.

The Red Cross cannot on its own accomplish much. Relief food supply is sporadic with the last supply of five kilograms of maize and sorghum having been made last month, yet it could barely sustain families for a few days.

The starving have no alternative, but to resort to eating wild, poisonous fruits and there are unconfirmed cases of others feeding on their domestic pets in some places.

It is very dehumanising for Kenyans who find themselves in a predicament they have no control over to be cast adrift by the very Government they expect to come to their rescue.

Where Government seems to have abdicated like it did before, initiatives like the Kenyans for Kenya have come come to the rescue of the suffering.

There are many willing Kenyans who would do anything to help their brothers and sisters across the country, but are unable to do so without good structures in place and proper guidance to channel their individual assistance.Kenyans for Kenya showed the magnanimity and compassion that Kenyans have for their disadvantaged brethren.

That magnanimity could be taken advantage of now to save life especially when the Government looks unmoved.