Reports indicate that Kenya has donated a planeload of urgently needed relief supplies to neighboring Somalia.
According to UN data, more than a quarter of Kenyans who live in arid and semi-arid areas experience significant levels of food insecurity. This has sparked outrage on social media about the contribution.
The package contained numerous pharmaceuticals and food supplies, the Kenyan military said in a statement.
It claimed that the humanitarian aid was in response to the bombings that occurred in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, last week and left 120 people dead.
“The Kenyan Government has today delivered a planeload of emergency relief aid to the government of Somalia following the devastating bombings undertaken by Al Shabaab militia in Central Mogadishu,” the Kenyan Government said on Twitter.
“We feel the pain that our brothers and sisters in Somalia are feeling and we are grateful to President William Ruto for this initiative which will help alleviate the suffering of our neighbours,” said Colonel Victor Kang’ethe.
According to local media agencies, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had on Thursday urged Kenyans to give food to their impoverished neighbors.
“We appeal to Kenyans to give food so they can be given to those in need. Many Kenyans are suffering and we are making this appeal to help them. No Kenyan should die from hunger when other Kenyans have surplus food,” he is quoted as saying.
One of the worst droughts East Africa has experienced in decades is being brought on by a fourth season of poor rains.
This development comes after President Ruto made moves to unban Ugandan poultry and milk goods into its market by removing the limitations set last year to safeguard local producers.
The President offered the strongest suggestion last week during a gathering at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) that he will end the protectionism practiced by his predecessor’s administration and open the Kenyan market to Ugandan goods.