By Betty Luke
A section of Isiolo residents from LMD in Burat ward have rejected relief food donated by the county government claiming it was not enough to take them for several days and demanded for additional food.
Led by local village elders, the residents said they had been promised food aid for 200 worst-hit households but last Sunday assistance only benefited 50 families.
The residents refused to take the food after it was offloaded from a lorry and even assisted the concerned officers to load it back before the truck drove away.
Governor Mohammed Kuti while launching the donation on Saturday said that 2, 000 households from the ward would benefit with five kilograms of rice and sugar, six kilograms maize flour, two packets of tea leaves and two litres of cooking oil.
The locals said that the area had more than 3, 000 residents who were food insecure and that every resident was affected by the ongoing drought that has led to death and emaciation of livestock threatening the locals livelihoods.
Mr Mohammed Boru, a village elder, said it was unfortunate that the county administration would bring such little food knowing that the locals continued to reel from the harsh effects of drought.
“The food they brought us is like nothing because if we were to divide it amongst ourselves, each family would get a quarter a kilogram. Who will that benefit?” he posed.
“We would rather die of hunger than pick this little food that cannot take us for a single day. If the government has decided to help us, let them give something that will be helpful,” he said.
The locals said they returned the food as it would create differences among them while sharing.
“We want food that is enough for everyone because we have all been affected by the current drought,” said Ms Fatuma Omar.
The government early last month declared drought a national disaster stating that more than 2 million residents from Isiolo, Turkana,Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Garissa, Samburu, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu were on the brink of starvation.
Isiolo is among the four hard hit counties with recent data from the National Drought Management Authority indicating that nearly 150, 000 residents from the county are in dire need of food aid with over 80 percent water sources across the county having dried.
