A chief in Baringo county has landed in trouble after pointing out the extent to which drought and hunger had ravaged his area.
The Standard reported that he was summoned by his bosses as the local administration denied reports of extreme hunger, starvation, and death in the county.
Baringo county commissioner Henry Wafula stated that he was not aware of any death as a result of starvation in his backyard.
“There is hunger, but I am not aware of the reported deaths. We have been working on the issue since January,” he added.
The chief divulged that he had been summoned to the Deputy Commissioners office to explain "why he told the media of the deaths".
At least seven people are feared dead from starvation even as the local administration keeps denying.
Political leaders from the area came to his defense and blamed the two levels of government for not implementing long term strategies to address the perennial food crisis despite advance warnings.
Tiroko ward rep Sam Lokales warned that intimidating chiefs and local leaders from giving information on hunger should cease.
“We as chiefs and MCAs will not keep quite and see our people die, we will not record statements either,” he added
Ribkwo ward rep Daniel Tuwit claimed that his entire ward had been affected with over 14,000 people facing starvation.
“It is sad to see the government dispute claims of hunger in some parts of Baringo county,” he noted
“When we say we have a problem the Government should listen to us. When we say we are suffering people should not dispute the truth. I do not like to see people suffer or die,” Tuwit continued.
William Kamket, who is the MP for Tiaty, came out to deny that leaders in the area had politicized the crisis and confessed that the situation was getting dire and that some schools in the region were facing closure.
According to Baringo Governor Stanley Kiptis, Ksh13 million will be used to buy food and transport ruck water to the affected areas.
