File photo [Photo/livingston]
As Kenya celebrated World Food Day, It’s said that over two million Kenyans could die due to starvation if measures are not put in place to address the calamity.
In a report issued by United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released on Friday states the recent drought that continues to destroy different countries in the region had contributed to food shortage.
“In Kenya, 3.4 million people are now estimated to be facing severe food insecurity with 800,000 people initially classified as ‘stressed’ from July to September deteriorating into severe in October as per the long rains assessment projection… In North Rift Valley, persistent heavy rains into October have constrained harvesting and drying of maize crops,” read the report.
Speaking to the Standard newspaper was the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett, said the theme will touch on human movement, in rural to urban areas due to hunger and poverty.
“Investing in agriculture and rural development will contribute to sustainable development, harness migration potential and build the resilience of displaced and host communities,” he said.
According to a World Food Program report, food shortages have forced parents to send their children to towns to look for work, where many end up as street children.
The World Food Programme is the United Nations' front-line agency in the fight against global hunger.
In 1999, WFP fed more than 86 million people in 82 countries; more than half were girls and women.