Governor Waiguru: Unprecedented hunger has hit Kirinyaga

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.[Joseph Kipsang, Standard]

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on Tuesday said the drought situation in Kenya was dire to the extent that traditionally food-secure counties, including Kirinyaga, were feeling the heat.

Speaking on Citizen Television on February 14, the governor, who is also the Council of Governors Chairperson, said she's been forced to distribute relief food to some of her constituents.

"We've started food distribution to the most affected residents. In places like Mwea, the situation is worsening daily," she said.

The county chief said as part of mitigation and relief programme, her administration has embarked on distributing 254,000 fish fingerlings to farmers in the county to help boost fish production.

"I'm trying my best to remedy the situation. Some of the challenges I'm facing include lack of enough funds. For instance, I'm now engaging in a push-and-pull with bar owners in the county to ensure they offset two-year tax arrears totaling Sh100 million," she said.

The effects of a fourth consecutive below-average rainy season are resulting in deteriorating food security across the country.

Kenya has more than four million people affected by acute food shortage.

Kirinyaga is classified as a food-secure county.

Counties most affected by hunger include Isiolo, Turkana, Garissa, Mandera, Marsabit, Samburu, Wajir and Baringo.