Local news – 27.9.10 - By Zacheaus Otaba and Praxides -SPECIAL PROGRAMMES MINISTER VISITS TURKANA

The minister for special pro grammes Hon. Esther Murugi today visited Turkana region to assess the current food situation.
The minister had a brief meeting with the local leaders at the District Commissioners Office before visiting the National cereals and Produce Board to ascertain the availability of food in the stores. Hon. Murugi proved that there was food in the stores which had not been supplied to the people.
She accused the politicians of politicizing the issue of relief food distribution an d thus went ahead authorising the food distribution to save the current situation of hunger in the Districts.
Mrs. Murugi agreed that, Turkana region is so vast to get services from central government only and that the village elders should be involved too in the implementation process.
The minister therefore visited the family which is alleged to have fed on dogs meat at Nabuin Village as was shown on the television. Hon. Murugi said that it was embarrassing to find Kenyans in such a situation while the lead Agencies are bringing in new rules which the Government will not agree with .She blamed the world food pro gramme for the pathetic situation in the District as they rigid in their rules and expect the Government to follow them.
The minister gave out food to the family which included; maize, beans, cooking oil, mosquito nets, blankets, tents and cooking utensils, and ordered the Red cross team to relocate them from Nabuin to Kanamkemer camp for (internally displaced persons) for accessibility.
The managing director for Red Cross Dr. James Kisia said that the situation is pathetic and that his organization, is going to handle that issue of food distribution. He also said that he was proud to note that his his organization has been appointed as the lead agency for this region.
The minister's team also visited the Kanamkemer Internally Displaced Persons camp, where she promised that the government will build the houses for the I DPs and school to enable the children in the camp to get education