Over 840 households in Uziwa area Mkunumbi Ward today received food for drought relief under the County initiative to cushion small holder farmers and pastoralists against the effects of the prevailing drought .

The food drive was launched in Witu ward in September and is being replicated in all the 10 wards within the county targeting over 32,000 vulnerable households in urgent need of food assistance as drought continues to take its toll.

The worsening drought conditions have manifested in poor to no harvest for Lamu’s small holder farmers, poor vegetation conditions, storage and water sources are depleting by the day, worsening livestock body conditions and reduced milk production .

Addressing Uziwa residents this afternoon, Governor Fahim Twaha assured them that his administration is committed to achieve food security for all Lamu residents .

“The county government has procured 10 new fully loaded tractors to add to the already existing nine, the intention is to open up more land for farming through our ongoing subsidized mechanization of farms program. County tractor services will still be offered at Ksh. 1000 per acre. We are also in the process of procuring high-yield certified seeds which will be distributed free of charge to our farmers to spur food production and reduce cost of production even further,” said Governor Fahim.

The food distribution exercise comes hot in the heels of relief animal feeds drive as well as ongoing water tracking services using water bowsers in villages facing acute water shortages.

According to the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) drought bulletin for July 2021, Lamu is among 12 other counties on a high alert drought phase include Marsabit, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, Kilifi, Tana River, Samburu, Kitui, Isiolo and Laikipia .

-Ends-

Story by: Athman Omar

For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke

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