Tana River,KENYA: Residents of Milaluu village in Galole Sub-county on Sunday held demonstrations to protest against the disappearance of relief food.
The said relief food was reportedly stolen from a store in the chief’s office a day before the distribution exercise took place.
The food which was meant to assist persons displaced by floods was to be distributed on Friday however the area chief pushed the exercise to Saturday.
Mrs. Fatuma Ghamano one of the protestors who spoke to Baraka FM during the procession, blamed the chief over the theft alleging the chief knew those behind the theft.
“The administration has skipped our area during relief food distribution exercise. The other day food was brought from an NGO and none of it reached our area, now yesterday we were told to collect relief food from Laini reaching the area chief told us to come on today. Today the chief is telling us that the food has been stolen from the store. Who might have stolen the food if not her and her colleagues? She sold the food !” a furious Ghamano told Baraka FM.
Area assistant county commissioner Mr. David Mutua confirmed that the food had indeed been stolen saying that he was called by the chief who reported that a gang had broken into a food store and stolen the food that was to distributed to the IDPs.
“I received a call yesternight informing me that group of criminals had stolen the food but let me assure you that whoever will be found responsible will face the full force of the law,” said Area Deputy county commissioner Mr. Mutua said.
Relief food theft cases have been rising over the past month with some administrators blaming the behavior on the shortage of food in the county.
Mikinduni chief, Mr. Bashir Doyo had earlier told Baraka Fm that floods swept everything consumable in their shambas which normally are located along the riverine.
“No activities are going on in the shambas, hence most of the youths in the area are engaging themselves in stealing, but we have put measures to make sure the situation is curbed.” The chief said.
