OFFICIALS in Kenya say a national emergency will be declared soon as approximately 10 million people face starvation.
President Mwai Kibaki's Government has warned that nearly 10 million people are at risk from food shortages, according to a BBC report Saturday.
The British network reported that the Kenyan Government plans, among other things, to import 5 million bags of corn, reduce the price of seeds and buy up livestock in drought-stricken areas to help ease the food crunch.
In 2006, a drought killed dozens of people and thousands of livestock in Kenya.
"President Kibaki told the food security committee that the entire Government must focus on the urgency of providing food to all Kenyans after the failed rains in the last two seasons and reduced production due to last year's post-election challenges," a government statement said.
An emergency declaration will allow the Government to divert money from development projects to food aid and to use disaster funds that are held in reserve, said government spokesman Alfred Mutua.
"It also opens ways for intervention from others," said Mutua. "Our disaster emergency fund is getting depleted."
Kenya's finances are under strain because of the cost of sheltering and reintegrating 600,000 people displaced by violence following Dec. 2007 elections.
More than 1,500 people were killed and many farmers were too frightened to return home and plant crops.
The United Nation's World Food Programme is already feeding over 1.2 million people in Kenya, said spokesman Peter Smerdon.
UPI/TZG
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Subject: Kenya
Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:09:05 • KACC asked to probe $98.7 million Triton oil theft at Kenya Pipeline
http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/-/2558/512818/-/rliqydz/-/index.html
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Subject: Kenya
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:03:48 • No land reforms, no sanctions, many UN agencies head-quartered in Nairobi, bountiful of IMF/World Bank loans, additional lucre when Odinga opens his mouth against Zimbabwe, all the goodwill of the West, no Sentamu and Tutu calling for millitary intervention and still 10million Kenyans facing starvation. Raila Odinga should concentrate more on Kenya rather than Zimbabwe.
Zimbabweans, we are our own liberators.
I. Mukucha • n/a
Subject: Kenya's food crisis
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:20:01 • With such serious problems at his door-step where does Raila Odinga find the time & energy to talk about the Zim crisis? Shouln't charity begin at home?
The Western powers, who are such perfect saints on humanitarian issues should be tripping over each other to pour food aid into Kenya.
In fact, come to think of it, they should start by demanding the ouster of Odinga & Kibaki for causing that humanitarian crisis!
Nova, Edinburgh • na
Subject: PEOPLE IN GLASS HOUSES...
Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:50:47 • These people! Always trying to mask their own inadequacies by attempting to highlight cracks in our own situation? Mind your own business and sort out your own house first before you start on us.
Remember the old proverb? People in glass houses shouldnt throw stones.
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