Kenya's Public Health Director Slams Chinese Firm for Donating Alcohol to Starving Residents

The director of Public Health Dr. Kepha Ombacho has condemned a Chinese company that donated alcohol to starving Baringo residents on Friday. 

Chuanshan International Mining Company delivered a consignment of food items to residents of Katikit village, who are grappling with severe hunger as a result of a drought.

The items included several cartons of beer, 300 bags of maize as well as cooking oil.

Chuanshan International director Han Ke said the company's decision to donate alcohol was informed by the great "love for liquor" by the locals.

"Locals in this area love liquor and I saw it fit to include it as part of food donation to the hunger-ravaged villages," said Ke adding that they wanted to “simplify life” for residents.

Dr. Ombacho has criticized the Chinese firm, saying that it is dangerous to give alcohol to starving people.

“This is just unacceptable. Beer is not food. You cannot introduce alcohol to people who are already starving,” Dr. Ombacho says.

The government official adds that food donations must meet required standards so as not to poison those receiving them.