Ngongo
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- Sep 20, 2008
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Media reports have consistently painted a graphic picture of famine in various parts of the country, arising from poor harvests in the previous crop season.
Early this week, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru announced that some 1.5 million people face starvation and called for urgent measures to remedy the situation.
A day later, however, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei turned around to claim that there was no food shortage; that, in fact, the grain stores were brimming and the problem could just be distribution to the needy areas.
Listening to the two Cabinet secretaries, the public was left wondering as to who was being truthful. Are people starving in some parts of the country or not? Is there food scarcity or not?
Evidence on the ground indicates that famine has hit counties such as Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot, Mandera and Garissa, and cumulatively affect some 1.5 million people. Figures by the humanitarian agency, Red Cross, are even higher.
As early as April, experts and international agencies such as Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO) had warned of a food deficit due to poor harvest resulting from depressed rains last year and early this year, as well as crop diseases, especially in the grain-basket regions of the Rift Valley.
Kenyas food problem is a cyclic and embarrassing story. It arises from poor planning and ineffective crop management. Rain failure is not new and is always predictable. All are agreed that irrigation and modern farming is the way to go.
Desert states like Israel are case studies of how modern farming leads not only to food sufficiency but food exports.
For now, the government must face up to the reality of food inadequacy and deal with it, instead of top officials giving conflicting information, probably aimed at masking the truth.
Daily Nation.
Early this week, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru announced that some 1.5 million people face starvation and called for urgent measures to remedy the situation.
A day later, however, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei turned around to claim that there was no food shortage; that, in fact, the grain stores were brimming and the problem could just be distribution to the needy areas.
Listening to the two Cabinet secretaries, the public was left wondering as to who was being truthful. Are people starving in some parts of the country or not? Is there food scarcity or not?
Evidence on the ground indicates that famine has hit counties such as Baringo, Turkana, West Pokot, Mandera and Garissa, and cumulatively affect some 1.5 million people. Figures by the humanitarian agency, Red Cross, are even higher.
As early as April, experts and international agencies such as Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO) had warned of a food deficit due to poor harvest resulting from depressed rains last year and early this year, as well as crop diseases, especially in the grain-basket regions of the Rift Valley.
Kenyas food problem is a cyclic and embarrassing story. It arises from poor planning and ineffective crop management. Rain failure is not new and is always predictable. All are agreed that irrigation and modern farming is the way to go.
Desert states like Israel are case studies of how modern farming leads not only to food sufficiency but food exports.
For now, the government must face up to the reality of food inadequacy and deal with it, instead of top officials giving conflicting information, probably aimed at masking the truth.
Daily Nation.