NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 17 – Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has flagged off an assortment of seeds on Tuesday amounting to 20 tonnes that will be distributed to farmers in Mwingi and Kyuso districts.
The sorghum, green grams, and cowpeas seeds were donated by the Kenya Seed Company (KSC) and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI) in Katumani.
The Kalonzo Musyoka Foundation also donated castor oil seeds for distribution in the area.
During the event at the Mwingi District Commissioner’s office, the VP encouraged farmers to plant the seeds and alleviate the problem of hunger that is constant in the region.
Mr Musyoka at the same time reiterated the need for the people to cultivate traditional foods such as sorghum, cassavas, millet and sweet potatoes which were drought resistant.
He thanked the donors for donating the seeds and other food items saying the gesture would reduce the suffering of the people currently facing famine.
“They all came including their families, students and children to express their empathy with our people,” he said.
He added that the Government will do everything possible to develop irrigation farming particularly by utilising the River Tana through the construction of canals.
“This is the only way of helping these people overcome the difficulties they experience after every season,” he said.
The Vice President who also distributed relief food during the long day’s exercise at Mwingi, Kyulungwa, Waita, Kamwungo and Nguuku trading centres said the Government would continue to create more administrative units in the area with a view to taking services closer to the people.
Mr Musyoka was accompanied by Special Programmes Assistant Minister Mohammed Mahmud, who told the residents that the government would disburse 3,000 bags of relief maize to the area next week as part of efforts towards fighting famine.
