By Betty Luke
More than 20, 000 families reeling from the biting effects of drought across Isiolo’s 10 wards have a reason to smile following launch of a food distribution programme by the county government.
Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo Tuesday flagged off a consignment for 24, 000 hunger-stricken households in efforts to mitigate the effects of drought that has exposed more than half of the county’s population to inexplicable suffering.
The county boss said his adminstration was keen on alleviating the suffering the residents were going through and ensuring no person dies out of hunger.
Each beneficiary will get six kilograms of maize flour, 5kilograms of maize rice and one litre of cooking oil.
During the exercise at Isiolo town police station grounds, Mr Guyo warned Sub-County and ward adminstrators against diverting the food to undeserving persons.
“Any ward administrator who will be found diverting the aid will lose their job. I urge the locals to report cases of misappropriation of the relief food,” he appealed.
Supporting local farmers especially in Rapsu, Gotu and Gafarsa increase their productivity and expanding water coverage, he said, will go a long way in providing a lasting solution to food insecurity in the region.
The county government will allocate funds in the supplementary budget to help agricultural extension officers carry out an extensive research on which crops would do better in the county as well as supporting irrigated farming.
“We will in the coming two years ensure Isiolo is food secure by helping our people carry out irrigated farming in areas of Rapsu, Gafarsa and Gotu and agitating for diversification of livelihoods so that we do not over-rely on pastoralism,” he assured.
County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding said the national government will continue working closely work with the county to cushion residents from the biting effects of drought through relief food, livestock feeds and cash transfer programs.
“We are also working on reviewing the list of beneficiaries to ensure we do not duplicate assistance as we seek to reach out to the neediest cases,” he said.
Some 145,000 residents are in dire need of food assistance in the county according to National Drought Management Authority.
