Balambala parliamentary aspirant Abdi Shurie has urged the disaster management committee to intervene and assist the affected irrigation farmers following heavy rains that caused flooding.
Shurie said irrigation farmers in Sankuri, Garissa County were affected by the floods, which destroyed their crops and their farms are submerged in water.
According to Shurie, the farmers were pastoralists but abandoned that way of life after losing almost all their livestock to drought that is currently affecting most parts of the arid and semi-arid counties.
The aspirant, who visited the affected families and farmers said the farmers have lost thousands of shillings and a source of livelihood after they opted to venture into cultivation after they lost almost their livestock to the ravaging drought.
“All their efforts have once again gone to waste. We appreciate the speedy response by the government Disaster Committee but they need to do more in times like this where we expect more rains.”
“Already there are many families suffering and I would urge the disaster team to visit the area and assess the damages with the aim of assisting the affected families well before another disaster strike,” he added.
Some of the crops that were almost ready for harvest include tomatoes, pawpaw and assorted vegetables.