Nakuru to set aside Sh 250 million for vulnerable communities

NAIROBI, Kenya Apr 9 – Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui said that his government has set aside Sh250 million under a comprehensive support program for vulnerable persons who have been adversary affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing a press briefing, he said the program will fall under a supplementary budget which is yet to be approved by the County Assembly.

These are part of measures aimed at fighting coronavirus which has infected 179 people with 6 fatalities and more than 1.5 million infections globally. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has termed the virus as the worst crisis since the end of World War 2

Kinyanjui said the program will target special groups including those who rely on daily wages to fend for themselves, pay rent or provide food. He urged those who rely on agriculture and can sell their products to shy off the program.

“The county assembly is the process of approving a  supplementary budget which will include support program budget for vulnerable, we have set aside Sh 250 million for the program,” he said.

The Nakuru Governor said the special groups under the program  will be monitored by a yet to be formed ward committees which will be composed of diverse members of the society.

“We are conducting a survey using our administrative network, there are groups with high degree of vulnerability than others with the highest being those who cannot afford  food,rents and other basic necessities,” he divulged.

Kinyanjui said the devolved unit is also setting up a command centre to coordinate all coronavirus-related activities a to avoid duplication.

“These activities range from Information, humanitarian support, to enforcing  regulations set up by the national government.

“The county emergency response comiitee is conducting a  baseline survey to identify areas requiring urgenmt humanitarian support,” he said.  

In its latest report, Parliamentary Budget Office proposed an additional borrowing of up to Sh150 billion aimed at among many things, providing social support to vulnerable populations in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Of the Sh150 billion, the office proposed that Sh70 billion be allocated as social transfers to vulnerable persons, laid off workers and eligible self employed persons.

The funding, the office said, will cushion vulnerable persons, laid off workers and eligible self-employed persons who have been negatively impacted by the slowdown in economic activities as a result of the pandemic.

The Nakuru Governor commended area residents for practicing high vigilance especially in reporting those who violate quarantine guidelines.