The County Assembly of Meru on Tuesday suspended normal business to deliberate on the drought that is ravaging some parts of the County.
The matter was brought up by majority whip and Athwana MCA Jim Muchui who had written a letter to the house speaker seeking to have the issue discussed by the members for a solution.
He told the members to treat the matter as urgent with a view of helping the affected households, both in short term and on long-term basis.
He added that the drought being experienced in the semi-arid parts of the county including Igembe North and Central, Buuri and Imenti Central has affected many sectors including education adding many students were not attending school due to hunger and the fact that some parents fled their homes in search for jobs in other counties.
In line with this, he urged both the national and the County government to incorporate school feeding programs in the affected areas in order to curb absenteeism, terming the current situation as an embarrassment to the county.
Muchui also asked the government to identify drought resistant crops to be grown in the affected areas to ensure food security.
“The national government should chip in and structure a way to deal with the drought such as providing seeds that can survive the long dry seasons. If action is not taken, our people will still be asking for relief food,” he added.
The Athwana MCA was seconded by Kiome Makasi (Nkuene ward) who asked the government to identify households with the most vulnerable people such as the elderly and those living with disabilities since they are the worst affected.
He also insisted on the need to establish emergency kitties to cater for drought stricken areas in times like this.
Abothuguchi West MCA Patrick Muthuri said it was time for government and other stakeholders to sit and find a long lasting solution rather than relying on relief food whenever drought is experienced in the country.