Nairobi — Some 200,000 people in six Coastal dis-tricts are seriously affected by the fam-ine that has resulted from the current drought conditions. The districts include Tana River, Malindi's Magarini, Lamu mainland, Taita Taveta, Kilifi and Kwale and the situation is made worse by the inadequacy of relief food.

Residents in Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta districts claim that some people have already died of hunger, and they warn that the situation could degenarate further if urgent measures are not taken. They say that such death cases have in the past been merely swept under the carpet.

"Some of us get nothing at all while others get half a Kilo per family, which is too little," says one resident of Kilifi. They say that the Office of the President has not issued any relief food this year even after warnings of imminent drought early in the year. Districts in the region are struggling to share the remains of last year's food allocation.

But the Coast Provincial Commissioner, Mr. Cyrus Maina, says this has been due to communication breakdown that has now been rectified. "It is true that some districts have not received relief food but this has been rectified. There must have been some communication breakdown at the headquarter level," says Maina.

The PC says each district will receive a minimum of 4,000 90 Kg-bags of maize and beans for a start that will be replenished according to need. He says that it is not true that anyone has died from hunger in the region and asserts that the government will investigate the reports.

He, however, cautions that the allegations of death are very sensitive, adding that there is need to closely monitor the distribution of relief food in the drought stricken areas.

Interestingly, the role of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in relief efforts is said to have been very minimal. There are, for example, no NGO activities in districts like Lamu.

District officials attribute this to harsh climatic conditions that are not favourable for most NGOs to work. Maina says, however, that the role of NGOs is very important as they enjoy a good rapport with residents.

The PC revealed to The Big Issue that a school feeding programme has been initiated. This is meant to encourage children to go to school.

"I shall personally supervise the programme in various parts of the region and ensure that it works so that even as the effects of drought are felt, children can continue going to school," says Maina.

In Kilifi, over 30,000 people are affected by the drought. The Kilifi DC, Raphael Letimalo says agricultural activities have reduced in the area. Only 5,000 bags of Maize and beans have been distributed in Kilifi, a portion that is still far from meeting the demand.

This, according to Kilifi officials, is the last portion pending fresh allocations from Nairobi, a process the DC notes is continous. Nonetheless, though the distribution of relief food in Kilifi started early last month, several affected people lament that the food is not reaching them.

"If there is relief food then we do not know whom it goes to. We have been suffering for years because there is no rain, food and water," said a resident, adding that the Provincial Commissioner's office should closely monitor the process and ensure that those affected are catered. Letimalo says the government is now also providing water to the affected people.

In Kwale district, over 40,000 people mainly from Samburu, Kinango, Kubo, Msambweni and Matuga are faced with drought. Samburu and Kinango are some of the districts that have been badly affected with famine in the past. Now, the residents also complain of gross shortage of relief food. But Kwale DC, Fred Mutsami, says the government has distributed up to 6,000 bags of maize and beans.

While refuting reports of deaths from starvation, he admits the drought situation has been getting worse since last year. "I know the situation is bad but there have not been any cases of death and starvation. Right now farmers are still waiting for the rains," says Mutsami. He says the district has not received its portion of relief food this year.

"We are distributing the last portion of last year's allocation. We have, however, forwarded our request for more relief food," he says. No wonder residents of Samburu and Kinango, some of the most affected regions, say they have not received any relief food. Khamisi Mwaguzo, a village elder, says for example that some residents have resorted to boiling leaves and wild fruits to survive. He says cases of death from hunger are going unreported and the Provincial Administration fails to act even when informed.

"We have to survive. Some villages have never seen a Chief or his Assistant or any other government officer distributing food. We live in a world of our own. Nobody cares about our welfare," says a resident who identifies himself only as James.

The Lamu District Commissioner, Philip Langat, also says the district has exhausted its portion of relief food and are just waiting for Nairobi to replenish the stock. He says the whole of Lamu Mainland depends on relief food and people are now resorting to wild fruits and leaves since they have no alternative. But the poor roads in Lamu, especially from Mpeketoni to Kiunga, are always an obstacle to the distribution of relief foods.

"We are trying to survive with our children too. We are used to wild fruits and leaves not because we like them but because we have to live," says a resident.