Reports of increasing cases of malnutrition among children in Baringo County are false, Government Spokesman Cyrus Oguna has said.
While speaking in Marigat during Inua Jamii initiative function, Oguna said that the media reports lack statistics to back the same. He noted that members of the press used isolated cases to highlight the alleged food shortage in the areas. Oguna said that the government is committed to providing for the residents' food.
The government official said that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s leadership is ready to stand with all Kenyans affected by hunger regardless of their location. “No medical reports are supporting the claims,” he told journalists, as quoted by Standard.
Before the remarks, the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) highlighted the increases cases of children suffering from malnutrition in the country. The report released by the authority indicated that around 19.8 percent of children aged below 5 years are facing malnutrition.
On the contrary, Baringo south medical officer, Roseline Leiro said that the cases of malnutrition have been reported in different parts of the county in the recent past.
The statements come at a time when the government is reportedly planning to import maize. The government has, however, denied the claims doing rounds on social media.