He added: “Now, we can save hundreds of children and other vulnerable group.” The appeal followed the declaration of a national disaster by President Kibaki. The President acknowledged that 10 million Kenyans were at the risk of starvation. In the past week, three people have died from starvation with hundreds more at risk.

A press statement to AfricaNews from the coordinators said it was a 24-hour initiative and appeal of the Radio Africa Group. It said the Group “got hundreds of Kenyans from all over the country to buy bags of food for the hungry.  The appeal is a part of a Media Owners Association initiative.”

“We believe in Kenyans and they have proven yet again that even in the most difficult of circumstances, we are still a nation of great and compassionate people who will support each other,” said Martin Khafafa, deputy chairman of the Media Owners Association of Kenya and General Manager of the Radio Africa group.

The food, which includes maize meal, rice, beans and cooking oil, is now being packed into two-month bundles, which will be distributed to families across Kenya during this week.

The appeal brought together Kenya’s leading presenters including Caroline Mutoko, Maina Kageni, Kalekye Mumo, Aleem Manji, Joseph Ogidi and the whole Radio Africa presenter team.  The stations that participated were KISS 100, Classic 105, East FM, Radio Jambo and Xfm.

The statement said the campaign was conducted in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross and Nakumatt. The Kenya Red Cross will distribute all the food collected.