kilam
JF-Expert Member
- Aug 5, 2011
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Drought at the Coast has now been reported in Taita Taveta, Lamu and Kwale counties after sweeping through vast swathes of Kilifi County. Government reports indicate the prolonged drought has led to famine for people and livestock in Kilifi and Kwale, and wildlife in the vast Tsavo conservation area of Taita Taveta. Authorities report that wildlife is straying out of its habitat to attack people and domestic animals and destroy crops in human settlements. In Kwale County, the worst affected areas are Kinango and Samburu, semi arid areas on the Mombasa-Nairobi highway. On Thursday, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy announced a Sh50 million famine and drought emergency fund to stem starvation in parts of the county where man and beast are fighting for scarce water and food. He said the most affected areas are Mkunumbi and Hongwe, which have not had rainfall for many months, hurting farming and pastoralism. Other areas are Pandanguo, Witu, Koreni and Basuba and Timamy said the dry conditions are stretching into Ijara and Garissa in North Eastern Region.
On the same day, the Kenya Wildlife Service announced that drought had dispersed wildlife from their traditional habitats in search of pasture and water in many parts of Kenya, including Kilifi, Meru, Narok and Tsavo. This has increased the risk of human-wildlife conflict. Attacks on people The KWS said there has been an increase in reported incidents of conflicts compared to past years, notable ones being attacks on people, property destruction, preying on livestock and crop raiding. “Cases in point include recent sightings of elephants moving from the Tsavo conservation area to Mwingi Sub-county, while others were reported in Meru, Kilifi and Narok,” the wildlife agency said in a report. The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said due to rainfall failure for most of 2016, more than 72,000 people in Taita Taveta County are facing starvation and urgently need relief supplies. The report says the lowland areas are most affected in terms of lack of pasture and water, dwindling household food stocks, human-wildlife conflicts and increase in commodity prices.
Starvation, human-wildlife conflict as drought ravages Coast counties
On the same day, the Kenya Wildlife Service announced that drought had dispersed wildlife from their traditional habitats in search of pasture and water in many parts of Kenya, including Kilifi, Meru, Narok and Tsavo. This has increased the risk of human-wildlife conflict. Attacks on people The KWS said there has been an increase in reported incidents of conflicts compared to past years, notable ones being attacks on people, property destruction, preying on livestock and crop raiding. “Cases in point include recent sightings of elephants moving from the Tsavo conservation area to Mwingi Sub-county, while others were reported in Meru, Kilifi and Narok,” the wildlife agency said in a report. The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) said due to rainfall failure for most of 2016, more than 72,000 people in Taita Taveta County are facing starvation and urgently need relief supplies. The report says the lowland areas are most affected in terms of lack of pasture and water, dwindling household food stocks, human-wildlife conflicts and increase in commodity prices.
Starvation, human-wildlife conflict as drought ravages Coast counties
