North Eastern politicians have been urging the national government to declare the current drought situation in the region a national disaster. To see politicians call press conferences to make such superficial statements is just but a way to remain relevant.
Last week, Governors from the just created Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) convened and declared the prolonged drought situation in their respective counties a disaster that required urgent intervention.
This is disheartening because when there is a problem, the two levels of government start pointing fingers, accusing each other of not addressing the menace.
For instance, the formation of the northern frontier bloc in early this month was to address economic challenges facing their backyards.
So far, there has not been any tangible impact from the declaration, yet people and livestock continue starving each day. Residents of the seven counties which include Lamu, Tana River, Marsabit, Isiolo, Garissa, Mandera and Wajir have lost hope to wait for the angel of death to knock on their doorsteps.
It is now time for these elected leaders to stand up for the people and take action, for if the trend continues as it is, they will lack voters to elect them to the various coveted offices.