This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto has sparked controversy by denying reports of people dying of hunger in drought-stricken areas, calling them 'fake news'. The claims come as at least 21 people have reportedly lost their lives due to the drought.
Speaking during the official opening of the 1st Inter-Professional Summit in Shanzu, Mombasa County, Ruto stated that the government has arrested a chief and several individuals who have been quoted in the media saying that people have died of hunger.
He accused the individuals of 'faking deaths' and playing with human lives, saying 'in fact the chief and the other fellows who faked death we've taken them in for questioning because these are people who are playing with a very serious matter involving human lives.'
However, statements by residents of various counties affected by drought indicate that at least 21 people have so far lost their lives. The affected counties include: Turkana, Baringo, Samburu, Marsabit, Garissa, Isiolo, Mandera, Kilifi, Tana River, Makueni, West Pokot, Kajiado, Kwale and Wajir.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i also insists that no one has died as a result of the famine ravaging various parts of the country. He claimed that the chief from Turkana County who had confirmed that several people had died of hunger is an impostor, saying 'he was fired a long time ago.'
On Monday, Deputy President William Ruto said the government is in control of the ongoing drought situation, adding that there should be no cause for alarm. He said the government had released Ksh.2 billion for the supply of food and water to about 1.1 million Kenyans in the drought-stricken areas.
According to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) CEO James Oduor, the deaths reported in the areas affected by drought are linked to 'sicknesses' and not hunger, saying 'yes... the deaths are there but according to the reports we have received, those deaths are linked to maybe sicknesses and other issues but not drought.'
