William Ruto donates food to Somalia

Food donations to Somalia being loaded in a KDF plane. [KDF]

Kenya has today delivered a planeload of emergency relief aid to neighbouring Somalia.

According to Kenya Defence Forces, the planeload was a directive from President William Ruto to the government of Somalia following the devastating bombings.

Last week Al Shabaab militia bombed Central Mogadishu leaving 125 people dead and more than 300 others injured.

The consignment which was delivered to Mogadishu on Thursday, 3rd November 2022 by the Kenya Defence Forces included assorted food items such as corned beef, dry potatoes, onions, bread, carrots, and mixed vegetables from the KDF Food Processing Factory.

Also included in the package were various assorted drugs from the KDF Directorate of Medical Services set for redistribution to Somali hospitals attending to the victims of the terror attack.

In a statement, Colonel Victor Kang'ethe, the Commandant VIP wing at the Embakasi airport terminal, said KDF is privileged to be given the opportunity to deliver the relief assistance donated by Kenyans.

Food donations to Somalia covered with Kenya and Somalia flags. [KDF]

"We feel the pain that our brothers and sisters in Somalia are feeling and we are grateful to his excellency President William Ruto for this initiative which will help alleviate the suffering of our neighbors," he said.

On his part, Kenya's Ambassador to Somalia Thomas Chepkuto who received the consignment at the Aden Abdulle airport said terrorism has no boundaries and partnership is key in the fight against it.

"We condemn those who carried out the heinous attack and empathise with the families who lost their loved ones. And to those who were injured we wish them quick recovery. We shall continue supporting the Federal Government of Somalia in the war against Al Shabaab militia," he said.

Chepkuto said the criminals have no moral obligation as they attacked innocent civilians, most of them women, children and the elderly.

His sentiments were echoed by Somalia's Minister of Health Dr Alihaji Adam Abubakar and his Information counterpart Daudi Awess who thanked Kenya for the humanitarian support, noting that the spirit of brotherhood showcased is immeasurable and will greatly assist in the recovery of the victims of the twin bomb attacks.

"We thank Kenya's President Ruto for responding positively and urgently to the call for assistance by our President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud. The closeness between the two nations is crucial in the pursuit of peace and security in Somalia," said Awess.

Food donations to Somalia being loaded in a KDF plane. [KDF]

The donations however come at a time when Kenya is also faced with a prolonged drought that has left many parts of the country in dire need of food.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua earlier on urged food-secure counties in Kenya to share surplus produce with those severely affected by drought.

The DP revealed that some 4.35 million Kenyans were in dire need of food and water.

According to Gachagua, some 2.5 million livestock countrywide have since died due to lack of pasture.

Eleven (11) counties namely Garissa, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kitui, Mandera, Marsabit, Laikipia, Samburu, Tana River, Turkana and Wajir are in severe drought phase.

Nine counties Embu, Kilifi, Kwale, Makueni, Meru, Narok, Nyeri, Tharaka Nithi and Taita Taveta are in the alert drought phase.

Baringo, West Pokot and Lamu are in a normal drought phase.