Home » Media Centre » Blogs » Drought - what happened to government structures?
By Mzalendo Contributor Moreen Majiwa (@mmajiwa)
Close to 4 million Kenyans face starvation and eminent death this year due to drought and famine. A crisis for which the government had received warning. Contrary to Minister for Special Programmes Esther Murugi’s statement earlier in the year that no Kenyan would die of hunger, and the government spokesperson's statement that the government is unaware of any Kenyan who has died as a result of the drought. The fact is that many of Kenyan’s have already died of hunger.
The government is and has been appealing to the international community for urgent aid to save the lives of an estimated 3.5 millions Kenyans. Officials and the United Nations say that Kenya needs Kshs 20 billion to provide food, water and other assistance to those affected by the drought and famine. The areas hit hardest by the drought-induced food shortages are in North Eastern Province (NEP), Turkana, Pokot, and Baringo.
The fact Kenyans are playing their part in helping fight this disaster through fund raising is both commendable but also morally right. So far Kenyans have already donated $200,000 via text messages. However while fund raising provides a short-term solution, the truth is the long-term solution does not rely on the fund raisings. The combination of interventions – government, NGOs and donors are just a drop in the bucket and do not even begin to address the magnitude of the crisis.
What happened to the government structures from village elders to provincial commissioners, Members of Parliament, Ministry of Development of Northern Kenya & Other Arid lands, Food Security Steering Committee, and Constituency Development Fund? Will they be off the hook once again?
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