The prolonged drought has proved to be a humanitarian crisis in Kenya as many go hungry with no signs of a let up any time soon. Farmers have recorded poor harvests and blame their affliction on the dry spell the country is experiencing.
The Standard Online (August 13, 2009) reported that the country’s Prime Minister Raila Odinga, told parliament that he would be together with President Mwai Kibaki launch a relief plan that would see the government spend Ksh 24 billion to help with the humanitarian crisis.
Amidst the drought, Kenya’s water towers namely the Mau, Mt. Elgon, Aberdares, Mt. Elgon among others are at risk of being depleted by squatters who were illegally allocated forest land. The eviction of the squatters has drawn sharp reactions from the affected areas politicians, with many them asking the government to compensate them before any evictions takes place.
Relief Plan
The government has on its part tried to correct the wrath of nature by starting a feeding programme that will see over four million people get food rations. At the same time, the Daily Nation (August 11, 2009) raised an issue with the type of food that victims are getting, most of which is maize.
Families that have received the food rations have started exhibiting signs of Pellagra, a vitamin deficiency disease caused by lack of niacin (vitamin B3). To them the ration is a gift and a curse, without which they would die of hunger.
The adverse effects of the famine are being felt across the country with conservationists blaming the illegal possession of forest land by grabbers on the drought. Some of the water towers have been invaded by squatters, posing a problem in relocating them.
Land Politics
Kenyan politicians have disagreed publicly over the government’s eviction plan that will see squatters around the Rift Valley moved from the water towers. Members of Parliament from the area have cried foul claiming that the government is victimizing them. The legislators want all squatters to be compensated and relocated.
The government has insisted that all the squatters who have legal documentation of possession of the land will be compensated but all who acquired land illegally will be forced out. This has brought divisions with the area legislators remaining adamant that the all squatters, legal or illegal will have to be compensated.
The Rift Valley is an opposition stronghold, with many legislators in the area coming from the Orange Democratic Party, led by the country’s Prime Minister. The politicians have closed rank with Raila Odinga, accusing him of neglecting their needs.
Donor Funding
With many Kenyans facing starvation, the government has received over Ksh. 100 million from the People’s Republic of China to help with the efforts of feeding the famine stricken people.
The government plans to continue with the food rations to help the Kenyan people who have been ravaged by the famine. All fingers remain crossed as the country awaits the short rains which normally begin in October.
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