Sigor Member of Parliament Philip Rotino has asked the government to set aside funds to buy emaciated animals from West Pokot County during this dry spell. Rotino said pastoralists from the region are incurring losses since most of the animals have died as a result of the drought that has hit the region for the past three months.
Speaking at Sigor, he said the funds should be disbursed through the Ministry of Special Programmes to help in mitigation of the effects of the drought. “The funds will enable the pastoralists to sell their animals before they die,” he said.
He said Masol ward had been worst hit by the drought and most of the residents had migrated from their homes in search of pasture and water.
“The government should move in urgently and come up with a possible measure to avert the situation before residents start losing lives,” he said.
The legislature also asked the government to supply the residents with relief food since the region had total crop failure during the last planting season.
“Most families are going days without food since animals they mostly depend on have migrated to far places in search of water and pasture,” he said.
One of the residents, Luka Lomerikong, said most children in the region had not reported to school due to lack of food.
“Young children who have attained school going age have not reported to school since they cannot walk long distances to school on an empty stomach,” he said.
Maria lokomol, a resident, said cases of malnutrition and stunted growth are on the increase in the sub county since children are not receiving enough food.
Last week national Drought Management Authority (NDMA) released a report on drought which showed that Central and North Pokot Sub Counties are worst hit by the dry spell and called for urgent supply of food to the region.