Farmers in West Pokot County have been advised to till the land early and plant drought-resistant crops. Speaking in Kapenguria, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) County Coordinator, Mr. Gabriel Mbogho, said that farmers are used to planting maize but this year they should diversify and plant other crops due to the predicted uneven distribution of rainfall.
He added that diversification will ensure food security and thus there will be plenty of food even if the drought persisted. Mbogho reiterated that they are giving out two water tanks to each ward which are strategically placed in areas where water tracking is done. He added that schools and hospitals are the ideal places since the locals can easily access these places and they are mostly public facilities.
Mbogho explained that of the wards that have received the tanks include Kodich, Suam, Kapchok and most parts of North Pokot. He reiterated that there are committees on the ground that are assessing the extent of the drought and upon completion, they’ll distribute food to the severely hit areas.
He urged the locals to work with the committees so as to speed up the process and not complicate the process by giving out false information.
