Residents of Garsen North in Tana River county have called on the government to expedite the distribution of rice that was donated by the Chinese government.
They said they were among the most affected by recent floods, but help from the national government had taken too long.
“I was at the ward yesterday and my people are yet to receive the rice from the national government. I plead with the national government to hasten the distribution so my people are relieved of their suffering,” MCA Dumba Semi told the Star on phone.
Since the floods started, Churches and civil society organisations were at the forefront of giving aid.
“If we get the rice from our Chinese friends we would be grateful. In fact, I call on the government to ensure the real victims get the aid because we have seen people other than the victims get aid before,” he said.
There is also need for the national government to work towards repairing the transportation network that was affected during the floods.
“We are cut off. I thank the churches and the non-governmental organisations that have stood with our people through non-food items and even cash transfers during these difficult times,” he said.
Commissioner David Koskei called for patience, saying the government is working on the modalities of distributing the rice.
Koskei said they have an improved system, where aid no longer goes through the county, making it reach recipients faster.
“The good thing nowadays is that anything that is meant for Tana Delta goes directly to Tana Delta. It does not come to Hola,” Koskei told the Star.
“We are yet to receive the food aid but there are sub-county committees that are on that. When the food aid reaches, they will get. They should not worry.”
He assured recipients that the committees would ensure all the deserving people get the aid.
On Friday, East African Community PS Harsama Kello received a donation of 14,800 metric tonnes of rice from the Republic of China at the Inland Container Depot in Embakasi, Nairobi.
The donation was handed over to the Kenyan government by Chinese ambassador Zhou Pingjian, as part of the continuous humanitarian aid in the Lake region, Tana River, Mandera as well as the arid and semi-arid counties which have been affected by floods.
Kello said the rice will be sent to the National Cereals and Produce Board for distribution to the affected counties.
Other counties earmarked for the relief include Baringo, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu, Turkana and Wajir.
About two months ago, China had pledged to dispatch food aid worth over Sh370 million to assist the flood victims across the country.
Deputy head of mission at the embassy, Zhang Zhizhong, noted the Red Cross Society of China would also make its donation.
“China reaffirms its unwavering solidarity and commitment to working closely with Kenya, striving to build an even closer China-Kenya community with a shared future in the new era,” Zhizhong said.
“This symbolises the deep friendship between China and Kenya and reflects the compassion of the Chinese people for their Kenyan counterparts.”
