Jane Mweu, one of the victims of the Chaos at a Food distribution event in Kikima. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
At least four women are nursing serious injuries following a stampede during a food aid distribution exercise in Kikima town, Mbooni Constituency, Makueni County, sparking fresh concerns over how relief supplies are handled.
Residents are now calling on the government to stop involving politicians in the distribution of food aid, urging instead that the responsibility be handed to local administrative officers to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In Kisesini village, 70-year-old Esther Mwikali remains bedridden after suffering a fractured leg during the chaotic scene. She underwent surgery and had a metal implant inserted in her leg following the incident, which occurred two weeks ago during a relief food distribution event led by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.
Mwikali recounted the ordeal, describing how panic gripped the crowd. People began running in all directions, and in the confusion, she fell and was trampled, leaving her severely injured.
A short distance away in Kwa Mukalia village lives another victim, Jane Mweu, who also sustained a broken leg in the same incident. She is currently unable to stand or walk, adding to the hardship facing her family.
According to her relative, Jane was caught in the middle of a surging crowd before being pushed and injured. Medical examinations later confirmed the fracture, but the family now faces financial strain, unable to afford further treatment or meet basic needs.
The two are among several women reported injured during the distribution exercise, which has raised serious questions about the planning and execution of such humanitarian efforts.
The incident comes barely two months after another woman was injured in a similar exercise within Mbooni, highlighting a worrying pattern.
Local residents have expressed frustration, arguing that the current system exposes vulnerable people to unnecessary risk. They propose that chiefs and other administrative officials—who are familiar with local populations—should oversee the process to ensure order and fairness.
Residents also suggested that structured systems, such as registration and orderly queues based on identification, be adopted to avoid overcrowding and chaos.
Makueni County is among 12 counties currently affected by food insecurity, prompting the government to roll out repeated food aid distribution programs. However, the latest incident has intensified calls for reforms to ensure that the assistance reaches those in need safely and efficiently.
