Many parts of Eastern Province are facing severe famine following prolonged drought that has led to massive crop failure.

A report from the Ministry of Agriculture paints a grim picture of the food situation in the province, with crop production having fallen far below expectation.

Worst-hit areas are in the northern frontier districts of Chalbi, Moyale, Marsabit, Laisamis, Garbatulla and Isiolo. These are followed by Ukambani districts of Kitui, Mwingi, Machakos and Makueni.

The report describes the food situation in the frontier districts as 'precarious' and that in Ukambani districts as 'unstable'.

The situation in Tharaka District, which is part of the larger Meru region, is also said to be unstable.

In some areas, the situation is so severe that people are going for days without meals, while others were depending on wild fruits for survival.

Also affected is livestock, which has started starving to death.

The Government and relief agencies have started distributing relief food in the area to ease the problem.

Famine victims

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka recently appealed to the Government and donors to come to the aid of the famine victims.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture report, food availability at household level was increasingly getting depleted.

About 50 per cent of the population in the province was in need of relief food. In most of the areas, the majority of people were depending on last year's food stocks, which are fast getting exhausted.