Integrated telecommunications solutions provider Telkom Kenya has brightened the faces of hunger stricken Kenyans with a food donation worth Ksh 6.6 million ($88,000).  In a joint intervention effort between Telkom Kenya and relief agency World Vision Kenya, Special Programmes Minister Naomi Shabaan today flagged off trucks loaded with relief food and destined for drought stricken areas in Coast province and Pokot.

Accompanied by Telkom Kenya Chief Executive Officer Mr Mickael Ghossein, the minister lauded Telkom Kenya for the pleasant gesture to the less fortunate Kenyans and implored other local firms to consider chipping in during this festive season.

While addressing the media at the flag off held at Telkom Plaza, Ghossein said the firm had opted to make the donation in partnership with the global Orange Foundation to alleviate the plight of Kenyans suffering from the impact of a prolonged drought.

Telkom Kenya, he explained had also moved to enlist the support and relief expertise of World Vision Kenya.

“At Telkom Kenya, we remain conscious of our corporate obligations to our fellow citizens who may be spending a very miserable Christmas due to the effects of the prolonged drought,” Ghossein said, adding: “With this modest donation, we hope to alleviate the plight of the most vulnerable communities in Pokot and Coast province as we wish all Kenyans a joyous Orange Christmas.”

The donation by Telkom Kenya and the Orange Foundation is geared at complementing government efforts to alleviate the food situation in the country.

Through the joint partnership with World Vision Kenya, more than 131.4 metric tones of food relief will be distributed to more than 15,300 most vulnerable Kenyans in Pokot, Kilifi and Tana River areas.

Besides Telkom Kenya’s donation, Minister Shabaan confirmed that Kenya’s food security position is still on the borderline. The Government of Kenya, she explained, had allocated close to Kshs 1billion ($13.3 million) for use in food relief distribution during October and November 2009 in 172 districts.

Earlier reports had confirmed that the Government will still require Kshs 27 billion ($359 million) over the next 4 months towards food security measures.
 
Further reports by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group indicates that about 3.8 million people in pastoral and agricultural marginal areas are still in need of humanitarian assistance in many parts of the country. Parts of the country still experiencing acute food shortage include parts of Marsabit, Isiolo, Samburu, Tana River, parts of Mwingi, and Kitui, districts.