Starvation threatens millions in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 23 (UPI) -- Millions of Kenyans face starvation because of a poor harvest caused by drought, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said.

In a report Wednesday to Parliament, Odinga estimated the size of the harvest at 20 million bags of maize, The Nation of Nairobi reported. The country consumes 33 million bags a year of its staple grain.

Less land is under cultivation because farmers are "demoralized," Odinga said.

He said many families are already feeling the effect of the food shortage and it is expected to get worse next week. Children who get meals in school may also go hungry.

"In some places, schools have the money but there is no food to buy," Odinga said.

If the short rains of October and November fail to produce as expected, Kenya could face a "catastrophe," Odinga said.

The drought is also affecting livestock, with about 130,000 farm animals already dead from water shortages. Competition between wild and domesticated animals for grazing is likely to contribute to environmental problems, Odinga said.

"Pastoralists are crossing into neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda in search of pastures and water," he said.