This archive report was first published on 13 June 2020.
On June 12, 2020, West Pokot County received a significant food donation worth Sh. 12.5 million from the Italian development cooperation agency to support residents affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and floods.
The donation, which was delivered by Devolution and Arid Lands Principal Secretary Micah Powon, consisted of 2,000 bags of maize, 380 bags of beans, and 270 bags of sugar.
According to Powon, the food will be distributed to all 20 wards in the county, with the county government ensuring that the donation reaches all deserving cases in the region.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has become a big threat globally, with many people losing their lives and millions of livelihoods affected," Powon said.
He noted that heavy rains in the country had contributed to floods in most parts of the country, resulting in displacement of people, destruction of properties, and loss of lives.
"The devolution ministry has been donating many things after disasters. We have dealt with many disasters in the county, and currently, the ministry is dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and floods," Powon said.
West Pokot County Commissioner Apollo Okello reported that the coronavirus pandemic and landslides had affected many people's livelihoods in the area.
"Late November last year, we lost many people at Nyarkulian, Tamkal, and Parua, and this year, the sad scenario was replicated at Chesegon. Such a donation will help the affected," Okello said.
Area Governor John Lonyangapuo cited that 75 percent of residents in the region are livestock keepers, and their livelihood depends on it.
"We are having a big challenge. The little food that was there got finished. Many people, including school children, are at home. You can't sell goats or cows because of closed markets due to the outbreak of the pandemic," Lonyangapuo said.
He lauded the donor, noting that the Italian Government had recently donated materials to help curb the spread of coronavirus through the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA).
"The county is really in need of support. The little food that was there got finished because many people, including children, are at home," Lonyangapuo said.
He called on various organizations working in the county to offer corporate social responsibility, pointing out that some areas in the county are in dire need of support.
"We are targeting hard-hit areas like North Pokot and Central Pokot sub-counties," Lonyangapuo said.
By John Saina
