A section of leaders from the flood-prone Nyatike constituency have called on their colleagues not to politicize the recent food distribution exercise that was recently conducted by the national government
North Kadem MCA Samson Olima, took issues with a section of the leaders for playing incessant politics of relief food and instead worked on providing a lasting solution to the flood menace bedeviling the residents.
Speaking to journalists in Migori town, days after rowdy youths who attempted to disrupt the food distribution exercise that was presided over by Education Cabinet Secretary Ezekeil Machogu, Mr Olima accused some leaders allied to the opposition of failing to address the plight of the people and “were busy politicking when people were going hungry.
“This issue of food distribution has nothing to do with party politics. The catastrophe that my ward residents are undergoing knows neither the ruling party nor the opposition. I therefore urge our leaders to steer off from politics and address the crisis at hand,” the MCA noted.
Over the weekend, a section of youths attempted to scuttle the food distribution processes claiming that the rations were brought by President William Ruto’s UDA party, a move that left scores arrested.
According to Mr Olima, the rowdy youths had been strategically planted by senior politicians from the county to malign the government’s move of issuing the food rations before police swung into action.
“We had initially gathered intelligence reports that one of the leaders from the county had hired some youths to disrupt the exercise but we acted swiftly and averted the plans,” he said while calling on youths to avoid being used by politicians who are driving their personal vendetta.
He maintained that it was the people’s right to seek food donations from both levels of government during the crisis while loading the county government for an earlier donation.
“We will not tire of seeking support from both levels of government since we serve the same citizens. We already have 198 bags of rice left and 35 bags of beans and we expect to receive another batch to supplement what is already in our stores.
Residents had in the past decried deplorable living conditions occasioned by the ongoing floods, a move that saw the government reach out with bags of rice and beans to cushion them from hunger.
Some of the worst affected areas in North Kadem ward include Angugo, Nyora, Modi, Lwanda and Sere villages with residents forced to camp in schools and churches after their homes and property were marooned by floods.
Migori county assembly had set aside 39 Million for disaster Mitigation with 10 Million set aside for the construction of rescue centres for flood victims amidst calls to build dykes that will provide a lasting solution to the perennial flooding in the area.
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