Marsabit: The national government, in partnership with the Oscar Junior Foundation and other stakeholders, has launched the distribution of food and non-food relief items to children and families affected by prolonged drought in Marsabit County. The relief food distribution was initiated at Boru Haro Primary and Junior Secondary School in Sagante/Jaldesa Sub-county and Bubisa Primary and Junior Mixed Day Secondary School in Turbi Sub-county.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative seeks to cushion vulnerable families from the effects of the worsening drought while ensuring that children remain in school and are protected from risks associated with prolonged food and water shortages. In a speech delivered by Secretary in the State Department for Children Services, Shem Nyakutu, on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, and Children Services, Hanna Cheptumo Wendot, it was emphasized that the government had heard the concerns of the people of Marsabit and was responding to their needs.
The Cabinet Secretary appreciated elected leaders for highlighting the plight of affected families and children to the National government. She acknowledged the contributions of the National and County governments, National Government Administration Officers, Children Services Officers, community leaders, and development partners, including the Oscar Foundation. Cheptumo warned that drought should not be viewed solely as a food crisis, as it can quickly evolve into a child protection crisis, leading to loss of access to essential services like education and healthcare for children.
According to information from the State Department for Children Services, approximately 9,865 children in Marsabit County have been affected by the current situation. Cheptumo emphasized that these numbers represent more than just statistics, describing them as thousands of childhoods requiring urgent attention. The relief packages include beans, rice, cooking oil, mattresses, blankets, sanitary towels, mosquito nets, and dignity kits for girls, aiming to address the immediate needs of affected families.
The Cabinet Secretary stressed that resilience cannot be built through emergency relief alone and highlighted the government’s Cash Transfers for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC) programme, which currently supports 1,430 beneficiaries in North Horr Constituency and 1,196 beneficiaries in Saku Constituency. Cheptumo further revealed that 3,754 child protection cases were reported in Marsabit County during the 2025/2026 financial year, urging stakeholders to protect children.
The CS called for collective responsibility among government agencies, elected leaders, communities, development partners, and families in addressing the challenges facing children. She emphasized the implementation of the National Positive Parenting Programme to equip parents and caregivers with positive and nurturing approaches to raising children. Cheptumo urged the public to report cases of missing or separated children immediately.
In a speech read on his behalf by his personal assistant, Rebecca Sakana, Marsabit Senator Chute Mohamed Said commended the relief distribution as a demonstration of the national government’s commitment to reaching every part of the country. The Senator called for proper distribution of the relief items to ensure all vulnerable learners and families benefit.
Deputy County Commissioners Moses Oruma and Daniel Ouma, and Marsabit County Police Commander Leonard Kimaiyo also emphasized the importance of the initiative and urged for the protection and welfare of children. The CS concluded by urging continued engagement and monitoring of the situation to identify and respond to emerging vulnerabilities.
