Pupils Resort To Eating Roots Due To Hunger Crisis
Some school-aged children in Tigania West have resorted to eating plant roots due to the hunger crisis.
A visit to Nkiluthu Primary School revealed the dire situation, as children dug through the soil for roots and seeds to eat in order to stave off hunger.
Francis Mwingirwa Akwalo, the deputy head teacher, explained that he left the children to dig up roots because they were hungry and there was no point in sending them home because there was no food there either.
Kenya is one of 19 countries where the food crisis has worsened, according to a United Nations report.
In Somalia, Southern and Eastern Ethiopia, and Northern and Eastern Kenya, up to 26 million people are anticipated to face a crisis level of food insecurity or higher.
This week, President William Ruto flagged off the delivery of 20,000 bags of rice, 20,000 bags of beans, and a variety of animal feed to regions suffering from severe drought.
As part of its support for learners in Kibwezi Sub County who have been severely affected by drought, the government has launched a school feeding program in collaboration with partners.
The County Commissioner of Makueni, Beverly Opwora, stated that this is one of the government’s initiatives that target 1,100 students in seven selected schools and aims to keep students in school.
Tuesday, the CC addressed the vice chairperson, commissioners, and directors of the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) when they paid a courtesy call to her office.
Opwora reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no Kenyan dies of hunger, adding that a portion of the relief food that was launched by President William Ruto yesterday will be distributed to families in Makueni who are suffering from hunger.
“Drought has really affected learning in schools. The government in collaboration with partners is providing school feeding programme to 1100 learners in seven selected schools in Kibwezi Sub County,” said Opwora at her Wote office.
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The County Administrator praised TSC for collaborating with the government to ensure that students receive a quality education.
She added,
“The government is committed to ensuring a good conducive environment for both teachers and learners.
She suggested that the TSC adopt a multi-agency strategy when addressing challenges and emerging issues in the education sector.
The vice chair of the commission, Leila A. Ali, led the delegation alongside a team commissioner, regional and county TSC directors, and education directors.
The team is in Makueni County to hold a meeting with stakeholders to discuss ways to enhance TSC service delivery.
