Hundreds of residents of Turkana County who have never practiced crop farming because their land is dry and barren are targeted in the ongoing relief food distribution which aims to cushion them against the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to local administrators, the situation had been worsened by the withdrawal from the region of a number of non-governmental organisations which were helping locals in the remote, arid villages.
Naposmoru Sub-Location Assistant Chief Charles Ekaran said that residents of Kekerusogol village have resorted to burning charcoal for sale but many hotels in Lokichar town which use the commodity have scaled down business due to Covid-19.
“Quantities of charcoal being bought have sharply declined with others opting to take the charcoal on credit, forcing villagers to go back home without any shopping.” Mr Ekaran said.
PASTORALISTS
He said that that the residents, who are purely pastoralists, are used to selling their livestock and were expecting that the Covid-19 restrictions would not last for long.
“Those with diminishing numbers of livestock are a worried lot as they fear selling all their livestock for food as they will become more vulnerable and poor,” Mr Ekaran noted.
Ms Rebecca Elim said that their manyatta and semi-permanent shops have limited stocks as many villagers are surviving on debts.
“Our only posho mill in Kekerusogol village has never operated for the last two weeks. We ask for more well-wishers to come to our aid with cereals.” Ms Elim said.
The relief food distribution was supervised by Turkana South Deputy County Commissioner Philip Sigei and Turkana South MP James Lomenen.
MORE RELIEF NEEDED
Mr Lomenen said that many families in arid villages were more vulnerable because school going children who must eat on daily basis are at home.
He promised to lobby for more relief food support for the worst hit villages.
Nanaam MCA Cosmas Longor and his Letea counterpart Joseph Epuu have complained that lack of mobile phone network has locked many vulnerable locals in the remote villages out of cash transfer programmes being relied on as another option to cushion them.
Mr Longor said that many deserving locals who cannot access funds through the Inua Jamii programme are being conned by people who come to help them get the money.
BAD ROADS
“The ongoing Inua Jamii programme from the Ministry of Labour is meant to cushion many locals from the effects of Covid-19 pandemic but those in remote villages are disadvantaged. The State should instead give out relief food through the local administration,” the MCA said.
He argued that even for those who are getting the cash mainly to buy food, they are struggling to access markets due to bad roads.
Mr Epuu said that targeted beneficiaries in remote areas should be allocated enough relief food that they will rely on for many days.
He said that some remote villages such as Urum and Nawountos have shops but with limited stock due to insecurity.