The KCB Foundation in partnership with the Narok County Government and Equatorial Nut Processors Ltd have donated  five tonnes of relief food to residents of Narok County, as a response to the ongoing drought that has grossly affected various parts of the country.

The relief food will be distributed to 60,000 households in Narok County, which is one of the eight counties that have experienced the highest level of drought occasioned by poor short and long rains in Kenya since 2012.

Speaking at the event held in Suswa, Narok County, KCB Foundation Executive Director, Ms Jane Mwangi pointed out that the relief food distribution was part of a larger exercise by the Foundation targeting other parts of the country affected by the drought.

“As part of our plans to further support counties affected by the ongoing drought, the Foundation plans to extend the relief food distribution to 5 selected counties across the country,” she said.

According to the State Department of Agriculture, last year’s poor short rains led to a significant drop in agricultural production in Narok County. This resulted in a shortfall in the production of maize, one of the county’s staple foods, where maize production dropped significantly by 60%.

“In order to be a fully participatory player in the development of the country, the Foundation strives to work in synergy with the Government to ensure that we achieve our development goals as a nation sooner rather than later. This is why we have teamed up with the County Government of Narok to offer this relief food today,” said Ms Mwangi.

Following two consecutive poor rainy seasons, the number of people that are acutely food insecure in Kenya is expected to rise to well over 2 million between February-August 2017, up from 1.25 million as experienced from September 2016 to January 2017. The National Disaster Management Authority subsequently warned that Kenya could face a drought similar or worse in intensity than that experienced in 2011 before the 2017 long rains start.

“KCB Foundation is proud to contribute to the efforts of the National Government as well as other friends of Narok County, who have so far committed to provide relief food to aid County residents who have been affected by the drought,” added Ms Mwangi.

Equatorial Nut Processors extended a contribution of 25 tonnes of Fortified Blended Foods (FBF) that will be distributed to residents in five counties.

Officials from Equatorial Nut Processors noted that the Fortified Blended Food is a special blend of maize, sorghum, wheat and rice nutrients combined with dense legumes such as soy beans, sugar, vitamins and minerals, which will provide adequate energy and nutrients in each small portion.

“The food is designed in a way that it is easy to prepare. It does not require a lot of water, milk or energy sources such as firewood and charcoal to produce a healthy wholesome meal that has the nutrition intake recommended by the World Health Organisation,” said ENP.

Also present at the event was the First Lady of Narok County, Mrs Sarah Tunai, who lauded the efforts of KCB Foundation and Equatorial Nuts Processors for their noble gesture in helping the people of Narok County.

“I would like to urge other likeminded corporate organisations to come forth and assist us in tackling the drought situation in Narok County,” said Mrs. Tunai.