Former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim has joined the list of politicians calling on President Uhuru Kenyatta to declare ravaging drought a national disaster.
Maalim says that the ravaging drought being experienced in most parts of the country is getting out of hand and needs urgent interventions.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Wiper party National Executive Council meeting in Nairobi on Thursday, the former deputy speaker accused President Kenyatta’s government of laxity in taming the drought and starvation facing some parts of the country.
Maalim claimed that the national government is taking too long to have relief food distributed to locals in areas worst hit by the drought.
The former deputy speaker asked Uhuru’s government to move with urgency and make sure that starving locals get relief food.
“The national government response to the biting drought and starvation is very slow,” he said.
Maalim, who is seeking the Garissa Township Parliamentary seat also asked national government officials to visit areas facing starvation instead of issuing statements to the media.
“We want to see these people on the ground so that they can feel the real situation,” he said.
Maalim further asked the government to appeal for donor help if it is unable to mitigate the drought situation.
According to Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, at least 2 million Kenyans are facing starvation as a result of the drought being experienced in some parts of the country.
Speaking during a voter campaign rally in Marsabit on Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the government will double food distribution to areas worst hit by the drought.
He added that more funds will be allocated to mitigate the drought.
Among the worst hit counties is Garissa, Marsabit, Isiolo, Kilifi, parts of Embu, Mandera, Tana River, Turkana and Baringo.