On a mission

Early morning: Simon Lelaki

Kenya is experiencing unusually low rainfall and three consecutive 'rainy seasons' have passed with hardly any rain, leaving local communities quite literally 'high and dry'. There has been very little news around the world about a potential famine in Northern Kenya and the loss of many thousands of pastoralists' animals. In September last year, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the drought a national disaster. According to the UN, over 15 million people are facing severe water shortages and acute food insecurity in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia, a number which could reach 20 million if these conditions persist. Around 2.9 million people in Eastern and Northern Kenya are in urgent need of aid, and more than half a million children are acutely malnourished. 

Credit: Paul Wachira Naiputari

Our Community Development Officer, Paul Wachira Naiputari, reports:

Over the last two years Laikipia County has experienced the worst drought for two decades since three sets of rains have failed; grassland has withered, and the main source of water, the Ewaso Nyiro River has dried up. People have struggled to find food at a time when food prices have doubled and yet livestock prices are extremely low; goats are worth a quarter of their normal value. At these times, the local communities look to us to provide additional grazing but the role of a conservancy goes much further than that. 

Loisaba Community Trust, in partnership with the Loisaba Community Conservation foundation, Team Pankaj, Laikipia North Constituency Office and the local administration joined together for a food drive to the neighbouring communities which have been affected. Loisaba Community Trust has distributed 5,000 food packages containing beans, maize, wheat flour, salt, and other dry foods to 10,000 households living in Kirimon, Nannapa, Naibunga Conservancies and Louniek communities.This has gone a long way in helping the households during this hard time and community members have been very thankful. 

Credit: Paul Wachira Naiputari

“I am very grateful to have received this food package today because it will serve my family for a week, Thanks Loisaba and Pankaj for considering my community during this hard drought” Legrama Lereete

“The drought has affected our livelihood so much and we would like to say thanks Team Pankaj through Loisaba Community Trust for providing us with food during this difficult time, this is so timely, and I asked if another opportunity comes kindly consider us” Chepochepkuo Maiwa."

Credit: Paul Wachira Naiputari

Loisaba Conservancy itself has coped with the drought by carefully managing its stock numbers, making sure that the wildlife will continue to thrive, and the dams have been a lifeline for those animals. 

Since this blog was first written, there has been a further development with the importation of maize from Tanzania being interrupted. As a result the price of maize has more than tripled. This shortage will have an impact on the price of other staples. Many people will be living life on the edge as a result. 

If you would like to help the local communities in the most direct way possible then please go to:

Donations to Loisaba Community Trust

 

Credit: Simon Lelaki