Call for seeds as thousands return to sodden fields

Farmers returning to flood-damaged fields and food stores in Kenya’s coastal Tana Delta and Lamu district have appealed for seeds and other inputs so as revive their livelihoods.

"At least 10,000 farmers need to be supplied with seeds and manure so that they can cultivate their farms and start growing crops," said District Commissioner Charles Monari.

Some 30,000 people affected by the floods now depend on relief food supplies. Many were displaced but have begun to return home as waters have subsided.

"At the moment we are very grateful for the supply of food the government is offering us, but we need seeds to start growing crops" said Salim Gure, a local civic leader.

"The government in conjunction with the [Kenya] Red Cross Society has managed to supply all those affected with hundreds of bags of maize, peas, beans and cooking oil soon after floods hit the region but there is still a need for a long-term solution in order to avoid food scarcity" said Monari.

The areas worst affected by floods include: Ngao, Tarassa, Chara and Konemasa in Tana Delta District and parts of Mpeketoni, Kipini and Witu in Lamu.

Meanwhile there are fears of an outbreak of waterborne diseases.

"The locals here are using swamp water for their daily chores since we were never supplied with sufficient clean water" Mohammed Juge, a local elder, told IRIN.

The floods washed away many pit latrines and others remain underwater.

jk/am