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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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As Gov't Bickers, Drought Ravages Kenya

Squabbling government fails to prepare for the worst as 4M starve

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(Newser) – While countries like Ethiopia and Somalia have been long associated with drought and famine, it's the robust safari destination of Kenya that's wasting away. Nearly 4 million Kenyans, 10% of the population, are desperate for food due to a lack of rainfall—some villages haven't seen rain in years, the New York Times reports. And though aid communities predicted the drought months in advance, Kenya’s government was too embroiled in political infighting to respond.

There have even been allegations that some officials illegally sold off tons of the nation’s grain reserves, even as the famine loomed. Meanwhile, donor nations have dragged their heels in response, disappointed with Kenya’s leadership, which has done little to clean house following 2007’s disastrous election. The UN has managed to drum up less than half its $576 million emergency appeal.

School children fetch dirty water from a drying river in Nyariginu village, Kenya, Monday, Aug. 17, 2009.
School children fetch dirty water from a drying river in Nyariginu village, Kenya, Monday, Aug. 17, 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
Lesakut Peruan, seen with the remains of his herd after a prolonged drought wiped out 64 of his 120 cattle, in Gathiuru forest, Nanyuki, on the slopes of Mount Kenya.
Lesakut Peruan, seen with the remains of his herd after a prolonged drought wiped out 64 of his 120 cattle, in Gathiuru forest, Nanyuki, on the slopes of Mount Kenya.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
In this photo taken Tuesday, Aug, 18 2009, an unidentified Maasai man stands near to a cow's carcass, at Gathiuru forest, in Nanyuki, on the slopes of Mount Kenya.
In this photo taken Tuesday, Aug, 18 2009, an unidentified Maasai man stands near to a cow's carcass, at Gathiuru forest, in Nanyuki, on the slopes of Mount Kenya.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
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2 comments
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Timinator2K
Sep 8, 09 12:20 PM CDT
Let's Help Them! Oops, sorry world...we're flat busted n' disgusted n' owe trillions...we can't even help ourselves anymore. Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
Wraith
Sep 8, 09 1:58 PM CDT
To bad nobody thought about that before Dubyaaaaa destroyed the bank? Just thinking is all
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
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