Well-wishers pledge support for Turkanas

By Edwin Cheserek

Kenyans have expressed shock and dismay with The Standard exclusive that highlighted the plight of Turkana residents.

Scores of readers called our newsrooms with congratulatory messages and others seeking to know how they can help residents of Turkana, who are grappling with biting hunger and insecurity.

Among the callers was Deputy Chief Justice nominee Nancy Baraza, who donated Sh15,000 to buy food for a woman appearing on Monday’s edition of The Standard.

"Please use the money to save the life of that mama. Her picture has touched me," said Ms Baraza, in reference to the picture of Lokopura Louwa on the front page of the edition.

Her emaciated frame was perhaps a testimony of the many days she has gone without food and water.

Lasting solution

Kenyan-born international Dutch athlete, Lornah Kiplagat and her husband Pieter Langerhorst also pledged to donate food to the hunger-stricken residents.

"We want to send portions of food at least on a regular basis, until it rains there or the residents get some form of relief from the hunger," she said.

Ms Kiplagat called for long-term solution to famine in Turkana to alleviate the recurrent suffering of locals in the vast county.

Parklands Baptist Church also called and promised to donate food to the starving residents.

"We want to do what Jesus did, visiting and helping those he heard needed his help. We will mobilise assistance and take food there next week," said Chris Mulwa, an official of the church.

And religious leaders in North Rift called for stern action against Ethiopian militia that has continued to terrorise Turkana.

Deadly attacks

Eldoret Catholic Diocese Bishop Cornelius Korir said security lapses along the country’s porous borders have occasioned the deadly attacks.

"It is unacceptable for a country like ours with security forces to watch as neighbouring countries kill its people at will," Bishop Korir told The Standard on the telephone.

His Aglican counterpart Rev Christopher Ruto blamed historical injustices and neglect by successive governments for the untold suffering among people living along our borders. "This is a sad state of affairs because the Government is entrusted with the responsibility of protecting its people," he said.

Bishop Stephen Kewasis of Kitale blamed the Government for not ensuring adequate security, compromising safety of residents. He added that the Government seems to have been overwhelmed by insurgency of ferocious militias.