El Nino rains continue to wreak havoc in North Eastern as food prices soar

The relentless El Nino rains continue to wreak havoc in North Eastern Kenya, causing widespread flooding and triggering a surge in food prices. The disrupted supply chain has left retail shops in Mandera, Garissa, and Wajir Counties grappling with shortages, intensifying the suffering of local residents.

Yahya Maalim Issack, a resident of Elwak in Mandera County, describes the dire situation, stating, "The heavy rains have made roads impassable, doubling the prices of essential goods." In Elwak town, the cost of sugar per kilogram skyrocketed from Sh150 to Sh250, maize flour surged from Sh160 to Sh200, and rice surged from Sh200 to Sh250.

Remote areas beyond Elwak town face near-starvation as food prices soar, exacerbating the already challenging circumstances. Border towns dependent on neighboring Somalia for food supplies are also severely affected by the El Nino rains. Holugho town, bordering Somalia, and Galmagala in Garissa are among the regions cut off due to destroyed road networks.

In Garissa town, the flooding of River Tana submerged thousands of hectares of crops in Garissa township, Bura, Balambala, and Masalani Sub Counties. Fatuma Yaqub, a vegetable trader at Garissa Soko Muqdi market, reveals the impact on vegetable prices, stating, "A kilo of tomatoes surged from Sh60 to Sh130, and the prices of almost all vegetables have risen due to the affected supply from the farmers."

The North Eastern region, already grappling with extended drought cycles, now faces another disaster with the destructive consequences of the El Nino rains. The combination of floods and skyrocketing food prices intensifies the challenges faced by the local population, prompting urgent intervention to alleviate their plight.

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