'Tumechoka', Kenyans Online Say as Red Cross Appeals for Sh820 Million to Help Starving Kenyans

The Kenya Red Cross Society has sent an urgent appeal for support from Kenyans to tackle the ongoing drought crisis witnessed in several parts of the country.

The body says it is seeking to raise Sh825 million for interventions to support over one million Kenyans in 17 counties who are facing hunger.

The affected counties include Turkana, Baringo, Tana River, West Pokot, Samburu, Isiolo, Lamu, Kitui, Kilifi, Garissa, Wajir, Embu, Laikipia, Mandera, Marsabit, Nyeri, and Tharaka Nithi.

Red Cross says the funds will enable it to make interventions such as cash transfers, health and nutrition, food distribution, water sanitation, and hygiene.

However, following the appeal, Kenyans on social media have blasted Red Cross, accusing it of failing to account for money crowdfunded in the past.

Using hashtag #RedCrossTumechoka, Kenyans on Twitter have vowed not to contribute money to Red Cross unless they account for funds raised in the past.

@DavidOsiany says:”When does Abbas Gullet plan to retire from Redcross and hand over the mantle to a younger person? What happened to mentorship and growing talent? While at it, what does a PR Company like Gina Din got to do with distributing food to hunger stricken areas? Jokes! #RedcrossTumechoka.”

@AfrivaQueen Says:”Government. Choose one, either we donate or we pay tax. What the meaning of Government? They drive V8 and they can't help poor people. They still want the same poor Kenyans to help poor people. #kenyansforkenya #RedCrossTumechoka.”

@SteveOgola says:”GOVERNMENT must be capable of being taken seriously. DP Ruto and CS WAMALWA have been emphatic that Kenya has enough food. It cannot be open to Abbas Gullet to raise Pay Bill numbers without consulting government. Meanwhile, when does his term at Red Cross end? #RedcrossTumechoka.”

@WillisRaburu Says: ‘I think that we need to be real with ourselves and hold people to account, I believe that it is critical to have alternative voices, courageous voices #RedCrossTumechoka and #KenyansForKenya simply shows that the public demand more than just rhetoric. It is time!’

@ItsMutai notes: “Abbas Gullet is a THIEF. A common criminal in bed with cartels using hunger to enrich himself. If he is clean I dare him to sue me. Gullet is worse than a murderer. Using dying hunger victims to get rich quick. WE KNOW YOU ABBAS. And we as Kenyans say ENOUGH #RedCrossTumechoka.’

This week, the government released Sh2 billion to facilitate drought intervention even as it denied claims that some Kenyans have died of hunger.

Deputy President William Ruto dismissed reports of hunger deaths as fake news.

“There is a lot of fake news around what is happening in Kenya. For example, we were told the other day that 11 people had died… that is not true from where I sit and from all professionals that we have,” said Ruto while speaking in Mombasa.