Kenya

Kenyans Starve as Maize Output Plunges
Reuters, July 10, 2000

Kenyans, particularly children, are starving to death as a severe drought has ravaged the staple maize crop and livestock, the U.N.'s world food body said on Monday. The food situation was especially dire for farmers facing serious rain shortages, FAO said. “The long rains season (March-May), which normally accounts for 80 percent of total annual food production, has failed due to severe drought,” the report said. Most of the country, including the “bread basket” Rift Valley province and the Central province which is normally close to self-sufficient in food, has received little or no rainfall, leading to widespread crop failures and large livestock losses.

Power Cuts in Kenyan Capital
EarthChangesTV.com, July 19, 2000

The Kenyan capital, Nairobi, is going through an unprecedented crisis. Power has been severely rationed, with factories and private homes limited to electricity for only part of the day, and water being provided only on certain days of the week. The government blames the crisis on the present drought which it says is the worst for 100 years though many Kenyans say that mismanagement of resources is more to blame. Industries and private homes in Nairobi are receiving perhaps only four hours of power a day, and people are desperate. It is not only electricity but water as well. The poorer people of Nairobi are used to queuing for hours to fill jerrycans. Now the middle classes are queuing for water too.