Women from Maisuyati village, Kimana ward in Loitoktok Sub County on Monday staged a peaceful demonstration outside Loitoktok Sub County Deputy Commissioner’s office over what they described as discrimination in distribution of relief food.
The women blamed their suffering on area Nyumba Kumi elder, Joshua Somoire who they alleged has since 2020 been giving close family members and friends relief food meant for them.
“Since 2020 during corona pandemic, Somoire has been collecting relief food supposed to be distributed in the area but has instead been taking it to his home after sharing with few close family members,” said Taiyana Somoire who led the demonstrators.
Somoire claimed that last week the county government allocated relief food to be given to the vulnerable village residents but the elder only assisted his friends and relatives and has been hoarding the remainder in his home.
She singled out a case of an ailing woman just released from hospital after being admitted for about six months saying she requires relief food urgently to save her life but the elder has declined to assist her.
Her sentiments were echoed by Sarah Kishota who attributed the current famine to persistent drought and called upon the government to assist them with relief food as well as seeds and fertilizer as they prepare their lands in anticipation of rains at the end of this month.
In response to the women grievances Central Division Assistant County Commissioner Patrick Burure condemned the elder’s conduct saying he had forthwith been stripped of the food distribution role pending investigations.
Burure said the government was aware of the dire need of relief food in the region noting that Kajiado was among the 23 counties earmarked for urgent relief food distribution.
Burure appreciated the group for approaching the matter peacefully and assured them that they will be given priority when relief food distribution is launched in the Sub County soon.
Satisfied, the group provided a list of their names for relief food consideration before dispersing.
