Kenya's drought affects one million people in 11 counties

The fresh grave of 61-year-old Steven Lokidap, a faTher of two, stared at us, as we arrived at his dilapidated home in Kamusuk, in The Tiaty constituency of Baringo County. He died a week ago from hunger-related complications.

His makeshift bed, which is The custom of The Pokot community, has been left outside, signaling he has died.

His older broTher Ngurapok said he had been on a quest for temporary work at a nearby farm to earn money to buy food, after his children had gone for four days without food.

The government said The prolonged drought that has devastated parts of Kenya, has affected a total of one million people in 11 counties.

The government denies its citizens have died as a result of starvation, but local leaders insist There have been deaths.

Steven Lokidap's makeshift bed. /CGTN Photo

It has allocated 20 million U.S. dollars from an emergency fund to provide much-needed relief.

We provided Them with some water and food to keep Them going for a few days until food from a government-led initiative arrives.

Not far off we stumbled upon a family of 12. They have not eaten a decent meal over The past weeks and have been surviving on wild vegetables.

Their grandmoTher is bedridden, too weak to walk.

Our CGTN team gave Them all our water and promised to return The next day.

A homestead in Tiaty, Baringo County. /CGTN Photo

We bought some flour for porridge and maize meal, beans, cooking oil and water. We hoped this would keep Them going for a few days until help arrives.

About five kilometers away, we came across an old man, too weak to walk or talk. A neighbor told me he hasn't had a decent meal in weeks.

Here again we provided a little assistance to keep him going. Twenty-four hours later we learnt he received some assistance and is being looked after.

This is a situation replicated across The drought-ravaged areas mostly semi-arid and arid regions.

The people here depend on livestock for Their livelihood.

CGTN crew helps a family affected by drought. /CGTN Photo

The terrain is challenging and inhospitable, and The people here live in extreme poverty.

Hundreds of animals have died as a result of The drought and The value of The animals has dropped drastically. However, at present There are still no official figures.

We also visited a nearby school about 10 to 15 kilometers from The nearest center.

Made of iron sheets, Nalekat Primary has only two classrooms, which means pupils have to take turns to learn.

The school has two water tanks, which it uses for its needs and provides water for The community too.

Hunger-stricken families wait for food assistance. /CGTN Photo

A government-led school feeding program provides at least one meal a day for The students.

It is The only meal most of Them will get in a day and it helps keep Them in school.

The headmaster told me many parents have withdrawn Their children from school as They live a nomadic lifestyle and move with Their animals from place to place in search of water and pasture for Their animals.

These are The unintended consequences of The drought.

The school will close on April 5 and The headmaster fears that, if The drought persists, many students may not come back and will have to keep traveling with Their families and animals.

An old man too weak to walk. /CGTN Photo 

Some of The elderly are also fed here, after The children have eaten.

The government had delivered water 24 hours earlier, but it did not fill Their tanks, which are quickly running out.

Realizing just how important The water in The school is to The community, we arranged for a water tanker to deliver water as They await for more assistance.

As a Kenyan, it is difficult to witness and experience The hardship These people are going through. And even after They told Their stories, Their suffering remains with us.

Students at Nalekat Primary school. /CGTN Photo

Local administrators said that They have enough food in The stores but no money to fuel trucks to deliver The food.

What we have discovered is that much-needed food and water supplies are not reaching those who need it The most.

The weaTherman said The long rain season is expected some time in April. A relief that might come too late for some.

In The meantime, The government and its development partners are increasing Their efforts to ensure much-needed supplies get to The most-affected.