Kilifi Governor demands release of relief food as locals face starvation

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has accused the national government of holding onto relief food when the people of Ganze and Magarini sub-counties are starving.

Mr Kingi regretted that residents were suffering due to lack of food after rains failed in the region yet hundreds of bags of maize were at the Deputy County Commissioner's (DCC) office in Bamba.

He claimed that the maize has been lying in the administrator's offices since April, awaiting official release by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri.

"It's such a shame that while people are suffering from hunger, tonnes of bags of maize are being detained at the DCC's offices waiting the official release by the CS," said Mr Kingi.

The governor was speaking in Sokoke when he flagged off lorries carrying 800 bags of maize and beans for distribution to families in Ganze and Magarini.

About to 150,000 people are facing starvation in the region.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya expressed concern over food insecurity after long rains failed.

"I also note with great concern the apparent failure of the long rains season and its implication on food security. I urge this honourable House to fast- track the Emergency Bill to enhance our preparedness to respond to the looming threat of food insecurity," he said recently in a statement to the county assembly.

Kingi said the maize in the DCC's offices was purchased by the national government for distribution to families that would be affected by El-Nino rains last year.

Bamba MCA Japheth Nzaro threatened to rally residents to storm the offices and cart away the relief food. "This food was brought for the people of Ganze and we do not understand why it is being detained at the DCC's offices waiting for someone to come from Nairobi to release it. I have written to the OCPD of Bamba that come Monday, we are going to storm the DCC camp and take away the food," he said.