“We endeavor to be a sign of hope to families”: Kenyan Bishop Appeals for Humanitarian Aid

Some 2.1 million people in 12 Kenyan Counties are facing severe food shortages, the leadership of  Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) has reported.

According to KRCS Head of Disaster Management, Elijah Muli, the food shortages have been caused by “prolonged drought seasons from October, November and December 2020 rainy season and poor rains of March April, May 2021.”

“The numbers are expected to increase unless urgent interventions are implemented, the situation will get out of hand," Mr. Muli has been quoted as saying.

The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) has said the food crisis has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The East African nation has recorded at least 244,826 cases of COVID-19 including 4,949 deaths and 235,196 recoveries.

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In his appeal for aid statement dated September 14, the Kenyan Catholic Bishop who was appointed Apostolic Administrator of Nairobi Archdiocese in January also calls  for spiritual solidarity with those affected by COVID-19 pandemic and hunger saying, “Above all, let us also remember to pray for one another.”

On September 15, members of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) called on the people of God in the country to support those who require basic needs. 

“Let us join in supporting those who are in need of food, shelter and water,” the Catholic Bishops said in in their nine-page statement in which they highlighted nine of issues they want addressed. 

They implored, “May God bless us with improved weather conditions to reduce suffering from the ongoing drought situation in our country.”

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.