Drought Hurts Education

The Nation (Nairobi), 24 May 2001

Children in many parts of Isiolo South are yet to return to school because of drought and famine, an assistant minister said yesterday.

Dr Abdillahi Wako, who is the area's MP, said the situation was particularly acute in the Mugondache, Eldera and Serichok areas.

The long rains, which normally come between October and December, had failed, he said.

Speaking to jounalists at Meru town, Dr Wako said an NGO which had been assisting families by transporting water from Hamaswein had withdrawn service because it had become too expensive.

The assistant health minister appealed with NGOs and other well-wishers to assist with water.

Without such assistance, he said, the pastoralists might be forced to leave the area and create insecurity.

The MP said the situation had been worsened by people from Garissa District moving in with thousands of animals in search of pasture and water.

He appealed to the Isiolo and Garissa district commissioners to ensure people do not clash over these resources.