The lack of food and water is now turning into a crisis in West Pokot County following a devastating drought which has claimed hundreds of livestock in the region.
So dire is the situation that residents have resorted to eating wild fruits and vegetables known as ‘Sokoria’ and ‘Sokthi’ to sustain them.
When West Media visited the area, some dry carcases were seen lying on the ground. A spot check at Karon and Kostei villages showed that livestock are emaciated and women are forced to climb trees to pick the vegetables from the only remaining ‘green plants’ in the region.
Locals said they are facing starvation due to total crop failure that was experienced in the region during the previous planting season.
Ombolion Chief Joseph Korikimul said the area hasn’t received rains in the past two months and expressed his fear that they might lose more cattle if the situation continues.
He termed the current drought being experienced in the area as being beyond control, and a situation like this has never been witnessed since 1965 adding that those who are lucky do survive on one meal a day.
He asked the government to urgently supply the residents with relief food to address the need for food.
The residents have however thanked the county government’s move to help them tackle hunger which has left most children emaciated due to lack of a balanced diet.
West Pokot Deputy Governor, while distributing food at Turkwel, said that the situation is getting worse and more than 320,000 are in need of food.
Lotee said the County government has rolled out a food distribution program in the County since many of the areas in North and Central Pokot are affected.
Lotee added that the County government has been forced to do emergency redistribution of funds to buy food adding that the County needs Kshs 200 million to cater for those affected by the drought.
He called on well-wishers and donors to help residents through M-Pesa and RedCross. He further asked the government to declare hunger a national disaster.
He said the County might miss the target of voter registration as many people are busy searching for food.