Good tidings for starving Kenyans

Written By:Glena Nyamwaya,    Posted: Sat, Aug 13, 2011

The Kenyans4Kenya initiative flagged off the third consignment of relief supplies at Uhuru Park on Saturday Kenyans for Kenya initiative has embarked on long-term solutions for the famine situation in the country as total donations surpassed the Kshs 650 million mark Saturday. Speaking during the flag-off of the third food consignment of 150metric tonnes at Uhuru Park, Nairobi; the Secretary General of Kenya Red Cross Society Abbas Gullet said though the country expects another drought in the future, it was prudent to adopt long-term solutions that would ensure sustainable food security. "Arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya constitute two thirds of the country's land mass and could be reclaimed through irrigation and other alternative modern farming techniques to produce sufficient food both for local consumption and even export," he said. Gullet said Kenya has fertile land that could be used to produce adequate seeds which has been a significant factor in the low production of food in the country. "When KRCS distributed 90-kilogram packet of maize seeds to Ukambani, farmers were able to produce 15 to 20 bags of maize. This is a success story of how food can be produced through irrigation and adequate seed supply," he said. At the same time, Diamond Lalji, Chairman of Cereal Millers Association encouraged the use of biotechnology in food production as he donated a total of Kshs 14.4 million from the association and himself. Lalji called on the government to initiate agricultural policies that would help the country have sustainable and long-term solutions to food insecurity. "The famine in some parts of the country is a significant pointer to the government to enhance policies and ensure that never again will Kenyans suffer from famine when the country can become self-reliant in food production." During the food flag off, about 2,500 Eritrean nationals living in the country joined hands to support Kenyans for Kenya initiative by contributing funds to support the campaign. Head of Eritreans for Kenya Campaign, Girmay Haile said the community has been present in the country for close to four decades and would not hesitate to give assistance. "Eritreans will never forget the support accorded to them by the Kenyan people during their 30 year war of independence and displacement," Haile said. He is hopeful that the Eritrean Community Campaign will set an example and trend for other friends of Kenya to engage in similar exercise and express their appreciation and gratitude especially at this moment of its greatest need. On his part, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Kenya Airways Dr Titus Naikuni said it was important to venture in long-term solutions that will enable Kenya to be self-sufficient in food production in the coming years. "We need to move away from food relief and rain-fed agriculture by focusing on measures that will guarantee sustainable food security for all Kenyans," Naikuni said. Kenyans for Kenya is an initiative that was launched by the Safaricom Foundation, KCB Foundation, Kenya Red Cross Society and members of the Media Owners Association with the aim of raising Kshs 1 billion in one month. So far, a total of 450 metric tonnes of food has been dispatched to feed people in the most affected areas of Turkana, Wajir, Mandera, Garissa, Marsabit, Moyale and Isiolo. The initiative targets to reach a total of 400,000 including children and women in dire need of food. The funds target short, medium and long-term measures to ease the humanitarian crisis in parts of the country affected by famine. Figures from United Nation agencies indicate that over 3.5 million Kenyans face starvation and death as the country grapples with what is believed to be its worst drought in the last six decades.