Kilifi County: Over 400,000 face acute food shortage

By JOSEPH MASHA

Mombasa County Secretary for Trade, Energy and Industry Mohamed Ibrahim Abdi (left) cuts a ribbon during the official opening of the City Walk shop along Moi Avenue. With him is county Health Minister Job Adhiambo. [PHOTO: OMONDI ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Kilifi County: More than 400,000 people face food shortage due to crop failure, a new report has indicated.

Kilifi County government and the region’s drought management authorities have raised a red flag over crop failure.

County Executive Member for Agriculture Mr Mwalimu Menza said yesterday that locals had a poor harvest in the last season as a result of inadequate rainfall.

He noted that about 35 per cent of the total population of 1.2 million people in the county urgently need relief food and water.

The executive member made the remarks at Kilifi County Hall yesterday where he met with other stakeholders in the agricultural sector to discuss the effects of drought that has currently hit most parts of the county.

He said the county government will be forced to seek aid from both the National Government and other development partners like the  World Food Programme and World Vision.

“The drought situation in Kilifi is worsening at an alarming rate and reports show that between 360,000 to 400,000 people in the area currently need relief food and water support to save their lives,” said Mr Menza.

He further said that most crops withered when the long rains failed.

He noted that surveys conducted by his department had shown that water pans in the area were drying up.

A report released by the county drought management department showed that crops planted by farmers during this year’s short rains were now wilting due to lack of rains.

The report given by County Drought Management Coordinator Mr Aden Mohamed also shows that many families require humanitarian aid.

Mr Aden said his office and the county government are drawing up a plan to solicit for food and water.