African Inland Church Bishop Calls for Increased Hunger Relief Funding as Food Crisis Bites

By Wasike Elvis 

 The Bishop of the African Inland Church (AIC) in Nandi County, Dr. David Serem, has urged the government to increase budgetary allocations to address worsening hunger affecting more than three million Kenyans in 23 drought-stricken counties.

Speaking at AIC Kaptich School in Mosop Constituency during a thanksgiving service attended by hundreds of Christians, Bishop Serem said the food crisis in northern Kenya remains dire and requires urgent and strategic government intervention.

The service recognized congregants who last year donated food supplies to Kapsabet School for the Deaf, an institution that has been grappling with the effects of food insecurity and limited resources.

“We call upon the government to further increase resources allocated to hunger victims. Many counties in the northern part of the country are still grappling with the effects of drought, and thousands of families continue to suffer,” Bishop Serem said.

Over Three Million Affected

Recent government and humanitarian agency estimates indicate that over three million Kenyans are facing acute food insecurity due to prolonged drought conditions, particularly in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). The crisis has strained household incomes, livestock production, and food supply chains, leaving vulnerable populations at heightened risk.

Bishop Serem noted that the ripple effects of hunger extend beyond households to institutions such as schools, especially those serving learners with disabilities.

“The situation has exerted additional pressure on vulnerable institutions, including schools for learners with special needs. These children require proper nutrition to thrive academically and physically,” he said.

Appeal to Kenyans to Share

The bishop also called on Kenyans of goodwill to continue supporting the less fortunate through food donations and other forms of assistance, acknowledging the economic hardships facing many families.

“Many Kenyans are facing tough economic times, but we encourage those who are able to share what little they have to support the less fortunate, especially students in special needs schools,” he added.

For more than eight years, Bishop Serem has mobilized AIC congregations across Nandi County to donate maize and other foodstuffs to schools severely affected by malnutrition. Education stakeholders say inadequate nutrition has contributed to declining attendance and poor academic performance in some institutions.

Call to Implement Education Reforms

Also speaking at the event was Peter Sitienei, National Chairperson of Special Needs Schools and Principal of the Kapsabet School for the Deaf. He urged the government, through the Ministry of Education, to expedite the implementation of recommendations made by the July 2023 Presidential Working Party on Education Reform.

The taskforce proposed wide-ranging reforms to the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), including domiciling Junior School (Grades 7–9) within primary schools, reducing the number of learning areas, and restructuring teacher training to align with the new system.

“We urge the Ministry of Education to fast-track the implementation of the taskforce recommendations, as they will significantly benefit special needs schools, which cannot rely on the limited capitation currently provided by the government,” Sitienei said.

He emphasized that full implementation of the report would strengthen funding frameworks, improve infrastructure, and enhance curriculum delivery for learners with disabilities, who often require specialized instructional materials and additional support services.

Coordinated Effort Needed

Both religious and education leaders underscored the need for coordinated efforts between government agencies, faith-based organizations, humanitarian partners, and local communities to address hunger and strengthen education outcomes.

The thanksgiving service concluded with prayers for rain, economic recovery, and renewed commitment to support vulnerable learners. Leaders expressed hope that sustained collaboration and increased government investment would help cushion millions of Kenyans from the devastating impacts of drought and food insecurity.

As the country continues to grapple with climate-related challenges, Bishop Serem’s message served as a reminder that beyond policy and statistics, the hunger crisis represents real families, children, and institutions struggling to survive.