TI: Politicians exploiting distribution of food in Kenya

Written By:Diana Okemwa,    Posted: Wed, Mar 21, 2012

Kimeu regretted that failure by the government to institute short and long term measures to mitigate the drought aggravated the situation Political leaders have been accused of being a hindrance to the distribution of relief food in drought stricken areas in the country. In a report released by Transparency International Kenya chapter Wednesday, lack of an established government policy on distribution of relief food is to blame for such cases as politicians take advantage of the process at the expense of those affected. TI Executive Director Samuel Kimeu cited last year's drought that saw millions of Kenyans face starvation as one situation that was exploited by politicians. He regretted that failure by the government to institute short and long term measures to mitigate the drought aggravated the situation. Northern Kenya development Minister Mohammed Elmi said the government has constituted a Drought Management Authority to look into issues pertaining to drought including the distribution of relief supplies. The report indicates that there 2.3 million bags of maize in the national reserves which translates to a shortfall of 5.7 million bags. Elsewhere, Public Health and Sanitation Minister Beth Mugo says that multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) remains the greatest challenge in the health sector. Mugo said the drug resistant TB is the second leading cause of death after HIV/AIDS. She said a study conducted in Kenya in 2010 revealed that about 106 083 cases of tuberculosis were reported out of which 7, 426 people lost their lives. Speaking in Nairobi ahead of the world TB day on 24th March, 2012, Mugo said that tuberculosis is a health issue as well as a development matter that needed funding from both the government and donors. She also asked the civil society and the private sectors to partner with the government in the fight against TB.