Leaders in Kitui have expressed fears that schools in the county may be forced to close due to imminent starvation arising from extensive drought, crop failure and food shortage.
Area Senator, David Musila, has appealed to the national government to move swiftly and release relief food to schools in the hunger-stricken county so as to keep students in class.
Speaking recently at a burial in Ngomeni, Mwingi North Constituency, Mr Musila said that the learning institutions will be forced to shut down unless the national and county governments step in to save the situation.
He asked President Kenyatta to declare the raging hunger being experienced across the country a national disaster and called for immediate intervention to save lives.
He argued that there was dire need for introduction of a school feeding programme in the county.
“The hunger situation is so bad that people are already feeding on wild fruits. The government should use the contingency and emergency funds to resolve the problem before lives are lost,” said Musila.
He was accompanied by area MP John Munuve.
Malalani, Mutha, Ikutha, Ngomeni, Kyuso and Kaningo areas are among the worst drought prone areas of Kitui County according to the National Drought Management Authority.