Nairobi parishes donate food to drought-stricken dioceses

Kenyan Cardinal John Njue on Friday expressed satisfaction with donations of food made by parishioners in the Archdiocese of Nairobi. The donations are destined for Kenya’s drought-stricken dioceses of Isiolo and Marsabit.

“The decision to mobilise food from our parishes came about from the realisation that nearly half of the counties in Kenya are adversely affected by drought with millions of people facing starvation and in desperate need of food and water,” the Archbishop of Nairobi said.

The donations weighing 80 tonnes and valued at KShs 8 Million (about US$78,000) were received from the 111 parishes within the Archdiocese of Nairobi.

 “We are very impressed that after the appeal to Christians in the Archdiocese of Nairobi, food and non-food items amounting to 80 tonnes have been contributed within the last month. The monetary value of all donated items stands at about Kshs 8 million. Along with the donations, funds amounting to Kshs 1.7 million were also received. Some donations have been dispatched directly to East Pokot in the Diocese of Nakuru,” Cardinal Njue said.

The Cardinal noted that 23 out of 47 counties in Kenya are affected by the current drought crisis with the hardest hit being Garissa, Isiolo, Mombasa, Malindi, Marsabit, Maralal, Lodwar, Nakuru and Kitale.

Cardinal Njue called upon individuals and institutions to play their part in assisting people in these areas. 

“I extend my appeal to Christians and people of goodwill to join hands in solidarity with the Church and our brothers and sisters in Kenya and continue donating food and non-food items to save lives. The true meaning of loving your neighbour is in extending a hand of support,” he said.

On 10 February, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the ongoing drought a national disaster and appealed for international aid.

(CISA in Nairobi)

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