The Kenya COVID-19 emergency response fund set up by the government to help mobilize resources towards containing the spread, effects, and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has so far raised over Ksh2.7 billion.
Through a statement released by the Emergency board’s chairperson, Jane Kariuki, the fund has received overwhelming support from corporates, foundations, religious institutions and individuals who heeded President Uhuru Kenyatta’s plea and channeled their donations in kind.
The Sh2.7 billion include Sh2,149,218,950 in cash while material resources, that is, food and non-food items amounts to Sh505,836,250. This brings the total contribution to Sh2,655,055,200. The fund has also coordinated in-kind food donations amounting to Sh272,024,734.00.
The board’s chairperson said the fund has prioritised the purchase of personal protective equipment (PPE), amounting to Sh 600 million for the support and protection of health workers at the forefront of the fight and dealing with Covid-19 patients in public hospitals.
In a move to support local industries and manufacturers, Ms Karuku said that the The PPEs will be sourced from local manufacturers and that the quality standards will be guided by the Board’s Health Committee of experts and practitioners.
At a time when the government’s spending of the Ksh1.3 billion from World Bank has raised eyebrows from the public, Ms. Kariuki asserted that the donations would be utilized in a transparent manner to support the government in its efforts to contain the pandemic.
“The Board expresses its deepest gratitude for the support and goodwill that the fund continues to receive from Kenyans from all walks of life. We would like to encourage more Kenyans to donate to the fund as we all work together to overcome this pandemic,” she noted.
