The 12 great Ukambani famines in 100 (1923 - 2023)
Ukambani- the area covered by the counties of Kitui,Machakos and Makueni are known for enduring long spells of droughts that are followed by famine.
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Perhaps the best of it all is that though famine has brought about a stigma of a people dependant on famine relief, the Akamba have developed, outstanding gallantry in the quest to live.
Below is a list of the famine known to have ravaged Ukambani.
1. The drought of 1924 to 1929 was call Yua ya Kakuti.Some people refer to an earlier one that was called Ngomanisye. Which would mean to give to every body.
2. The Yua ya Manga occured in 1942. During this drought the only food available was cassava (manga)
3. In 1944 there was Yua ya Ngie. People's crops were destroyed by locusts(Ngie) and then they turned upon the large swarms and started eating the locusts
4 In 1946 was Yua ya Mutu mutune. Also called Yua ya Mutuluvi.(Finger Millet). During this famine people were given red flour as relief food.
5. 1950 was Yua ya Makonge. During this famine, people were selling sisal to survive.
6 In 1961 was Yua ya Ndeke. During this time famine relief food was supplied by planes.
7 In 1965 was Yua ya Mutu wa Nganu. Wheat was the only available food in shops.
8. 1966 was Yua ya Masinga. It was the famine when Kitui people bought food from Masinga area in Machakos district.
9 In 1978 was yua ya Longosa. When a disease known by that name killed many cattle.
10. In 1984 was Yua ya Nikwa Ngwete. The meant people had money but there was no food to buy. So people died with their money.
11 1991/1992 there was a drought which was given no name.
12. The drought of 2022 I will call it Yua ya Simu. This is because people survived by sending money from one another to buy or order food from one another. You can also call it Yua ya fulinza. We are almost getting some greens after it has rained.
Prof. Josphert Ngui Kimatu is an associate professor in the School of Sciences and Computing, Department of Life Science, South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU).
