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Kenya

Kenya: Government working on measures to arrest famine situation

Vice President Kalonzo has said the school feeding programme could be re-introduced as one of the measures to save millions of Kenyans at risk due to starvation.

Mr. Musyoka said he would also hold discussions with officials of World Food Programme on the possibility of reintroducing the Programme in famine affected areas in Kenya.

The V-P said the government is working on emergency measures to help Kenyans due to famine.

Mr. Musyoka asked Kenyans to come out and contribute money and foodstuff to help the hungry.

"You can contribute directly to the hungry or through Non Governmental Organizations like the Red Cross Society", he said.

The Vice President who was speaking Saturday when distributing food to the residents of Kathoka sub-location in Mwingi North Constituency, said the government with Kenyans will mobilize resources locally and internationally in order to arrest the food crisis in the country.

The food which comprised of 300 bags of maize and 40 bales of maize flour was donated by the government and the Kalonzo Musyoka Foundation.

Mr. Musyoka noted that 90% of the population in some parts of Eastern, Coast and Rift Valley needs urgent relief food supplies.

He announced that he will be leading a government delegation to Spain to attend the high level summit on food security.

The Vice President said that the meeting which brings together representatives from various countries across the world will deliberate on measures to stabilize the global food crisis.

The Vice President assured Kenyans that the government was in control of the food crisis in the country and told them not to panic as no one will die of hunger.

Mr. Musyoka also disclosed that the government was putting in place long term measures that will tackle disasters such as famine.

The Vice President also made a passionate appeal to teachers to call off the strike and return to the negotiation table.

"I would like to assure the teachers that they will eventually get the pay rise they deserve , all they need to do is to dialogue with the government so that a time agreeable to both parties to effect the payment will be arrived at", he said.

The Vice President also cautioned those entrusted with public funds against misappropriation saying that this is an era of transparency and accountability where each cent has to be accounted for.

He commended the media for highlighting the plight of famine in the country and told them not to hide such incidences but expose them so that Kenyans can know what is happening in their country.