Local news - 01.06.2011 - By zacheaus otaba - Insecurity drags behind the fight against hunger

The Turkana county council clerk Mr. Christopher Onanda, said yesterday that Turkana land is so potential to produce food that is enough to feed its people. Speaking in his office, Onanda said that the government has been blamed for doing so little to beef up security along the Turkana county borders. He added that most of the areas that have fertile and potential soils for farming, is infested by insecurity. Mr. Onanda pointed out that if the irrigation schemes in Turkwel and Kerio is properly managed it will be able to produce enough food. He gave an example of Uganda border, Pokot, Kibish, Nadapal, Todonyang and far north, as areas that can produce, but cannot be comfortably settled since there is regular invasions and killings. Onanda urged the government to guard its territories in order to realize faster development. However, he agreed that as the county council, they have not contributed much on food security as relief, but mobilize for food for work. The clerk urged those who pose blame on others, to make sure they have clear information and genuine reasons for it. He said that it were better if people relied on consultations, which will help to forge the way forward.