Hunger crisis in Kenya forces school-going children to eat plant roots
Hunger crisis in Kenya forces school-going children to resort to eating plant roots for survival in Tigania West Meru County.
School-going children in Tigania West have been compelled to turn to eat plant roots due to the hunger crisis.
A visit to Nkiluthu Primary School revealed the desperate situation as youngsters combed the ground for roots and seeds to eat in an effort to stave off hunger.
Francis Mwingirwa Akwalo, the deputy head teacher, explained that he had left the kids to dig the roots because they were starving and it was pointless to send them home because their homes also lacked food.
Kenya is among 19 countries identified as hunger hotspots, where the food crisis has worsened, a UN report has said.
Up to 26 million people are expected to face a crisis or worse levels of food insecurity in Somalia, Southern, and Eastern Ethiopia, and Northern and Eastern Kenya.
Kenya is experiencing extreme drought conditions and some 3.5 million people are facing severe hunger.
Following the failure of a third consecutive rainfall season in eastern and northern Kenya, most Arid- and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) are experiencing critical drought conditions.
According to Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS Net), 3.5 million people are projected to be food insecure IPC (Integrated food security Phase Classification) and above, including over 360,000 people in IPC 4 (Emergency).
Meanwhile, this week, President William Ruto flagged off 20,000 bags of rice, 20,000 bags of beans, and assorted animal feed to areas facing severe drought.
Also read,
Hard times as stranded parents plead with Ruto over high fees as schools reopen
US donates Ksh23 Billion to help Kenyans facing hunger after Ruto’s plea
Kenya ranked among the hungry nations in the world with 14 million Kenyans undernourished
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