This archive report was first published on 29 July 2019.
On July 29, 2019, lawmakers from pastoralist communities in Kenya issued a famine alert warning that their constituents might miss out on the forthcoming population census due to a ravaging drought.
At a press conference at the Sarova Panafric Hotel in Nairobi, the leaders appealed for food and water for drought-stricken areas following the failure of the April-May long rains.
“We ask the national and county governments, and international donors to come to the aid of the people affected by the drought by providing food, water trucking and livestock off-take programme,” said Aden Duale, National Assembly Majority Leader.
According to a report by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), the number of people facing food shortage was likely to hit 2 million this month, an increase from 1.6 million people that faced food shortage in May.
Some of the most affected areas are Turkana, Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, Wajir, Garissa, Tana River, and Tigania West.
Speaking under the banner of the Pastoralist Parliamentary Group (PPG), the MPs said the situation was dire and required urgent response.
“We are concerned about the current drought, something needs to be done fast. We are appealing to the Government to intervene and provide water and food,” said Samburu North MP Alois Lentoimaga.
