More than 500 families from Barigoni and Mswakini villages in the Boni Forest, Lamu County, have received government-provided food aid, bringing much-needed relief to communities facing acute food shortages.

Residents, led by religious leader Abdallah Mohammed, said prolonged drought has greatly reduced their ability to grow food and sustain their families. 

He explained that the situation has been compounded by security operations under Operation Linda Boni, aimed at flushing out Al Shabaab militants believed to be hiding in the forest. 

As a result, locals have been restricted from accessing the forest, where they previously depended on activities such as harvesting timber, collecting honey, and gathering wild fruits to support their livelihoods.

Community members also raised concerns over the high cost of food, blaming transportation challenges following the closure of the Hindi–Barigoni–Kiunga main road due to security concerns. 

The closure has disrupted supply chains, leading to shortages and increased prices of basic commodities.

Speaking during the food distribution exercise, Lamu County Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu assured residents that the government has put in place plans to construct and reopen the road in the near future. 

She added that President William Ruto is closely monitoring ongoing road construction projects in the area as part of efforts to open up the region. 

According to Marubu, improved infrastructure will ease transport challenges, lower the cost of goods, and help revive the local economy, which has been severely affected by insecurity and isolation.

While welcoming the food aid, residents and local leaders called on the government to implement long-term measures to address drought, restore livelihoods, and ensure security operations are balanced with community access to natural resources in the Boni Forest region.