This archive report was first published on 9 September 2019.
Published on September 9, 2019, a heart-wrenching incident unfolded in Karimba village, Maara Sub-County, Tharaka-Nithi County, Kenya, where a man's struggle to survive during a severe drought led him to make an unthinkable decision.
Mr. Martin Munene, a resident of Karimba village, was driven by hunger and desperation when he decided to slaughter his only dog for food. He claimed he had gone without food for three days and saw no other option but to take matters into his own hands.
However, his actions did not go unnoticed, and soon, the news spread like wildfire, reaching the Director of Public Prosecutions, Noordin Haji, who sympathized with the man and ordered his immediate release.
Mr. Haji took to Twitter to express his concern and directed the county's criminal investigations boss, Betty Chepngeno, and the County Commissioner, Beverly Opwora, to ensure the man received adequate food.
Thanks to the intervention, Mr. Munene was released from police custody and received a basket full of goodies, including food items worth Sh1,000, courtesy of the Maara Deputy County Commissioner, James Wambua.
As the community rallied around Mr. Munene, neighbors described him as a hardworking man who was struggling to make ends meet due to the prolonged drought.
Mr. Peter Mutembei, a villager, emphasized the need for the government to provide relief food to affected families, stating, 'Many people are suffering due to the drought, and it is high time the government identifies the most affected families and supports them with relief food as we wait for the November rainfall.'
Assistant Chief Flabian Nkonge urged residents to seek help from the government instead of resorting to eating dogs, highlighting the severity of the situation.
