Chiefs and government officials in Garissa County have been warned against theft of relief food in the drought prone region.

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North Eastern regional coordinator Mohamud Saleh on Tuesday said government officials found selling relief food will be interdicted and prosecuted.

He made the remark at a time ten government officials charged with receiving and distributing relief food in the region are facing investigation over the theft and sale of the humanitarian aid.

Garissa is among the county's recently hit by drought and the government and international organizations have been busy distributing food aid to residents.

"I would like to warn all officials handling relief food that stern action will be taken against them if the food will not be accounted for," Saleh said.

"We have put in place stringent measures to ensure food reaches the vulnerable on the ground," he added.

He said the government has mobilized enough resources, rallied the Kenya Red Cross and aid agencies to ensure that all victims of the current drought receive the necessary assistance.

He also said the military and the National Youth Service alongside private contractors are working hard to ensure food assistance and water reaches the remotest parts of the region.

Garissa Township MP Aden Duale distributes relief food to residents of Bulla Kamor in the outskirts of Garissa town recently.