By Obegi Malack
obegimalack@gmail.com
Sawaina Foundation has distributed food and sanitary towels in drought stricken Torosei in Kajiado West Constituency.
Torosei is among regions hit hard by the ongoing drought and its distance from Kajiado town makes it difficult for locals to access food cheaply. The centre is more than 2 hours drive from Kajiado town due to poor roads.
Hundreds of hungry locals waited until late hours to receive the food with girls in Emurkeya Primary School receiving sanitary towels.
Torosei assistant chief Paul Karionkei and Sawaina Foundation Founder Zipporah Sawaina shed tears after arrival of food donated by well-wishers.Photo/Obegi Malack
Sawaina Foundation Founder Journalist Zipporah Sawaina said the group had collected food and other stuff from well-wishers and friends who witnessed suffering of people in Kajiado County.
` The drought situation in this village is worse, I thank friends and wellwishers who supported the foundation,’ she said.
She noted that they will do a training on longterm solution to effects of drought and urged the community to plant trees.
Sawaina who was born in the village said she has seen her community suffer for a along time due to drought, she challenged the government to provide the locals with water which is a rare commodity in the region.
Torosei Location assistant chief Paul Karionkei said drought has hit them hard and they have been calling for support.
` Residents are suffering we have no water ,this area is dry due to drought,’ he said. Livestock farmers are the most hit a cattle is sold for less than a two thousand shillings with goats and sheep going for five hundred shillings.
Penina Indai a local affected by the drought said she has lost three cows due to lack of pasture, she called on the County government of Kajiado and donors to continue supporting the community.
The community thanked donors among them Letshego Kenya and other wellwishers for the donations.
Dr Jane Saoli medical officer Ngong Sub-county Hospital who is a member of the Foundation pointed out that a part from food distribution they held health education which involved teaching young girls on effects teenage pregnancies and marriages.
Sawaina Foundation members with Emurkeya Primary School girls. Photo/Obegi Malack
Charity Silantoi a member of the Foundation called on for more support for the community, she said government of Kajiado has tried to support the community but should put more effort they should make water a priority, she urged the community to invest in farming since land for livestock keeping is declining.
Teachers in local schools said there is still high cases of teenage pregnancy due to lack of counsellors, the health facility which should be operational is closed no medicine.