Kisumu County to set aside shs 200m to cushion vulnerable as Covid-19 response fund launch

Kisumu Governor Prof Anyang Nyong'o address the press in Kisumu today where he launched the County Covid-19 Response Fund-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

By Dickson Odhiambo

April 9, 2020.

Kisumu County to set aside shs 200m to cushion vulnerable as Covid-19 response fund launch

The County Government of Kisumu will set aside shs 200 million to cushion the most vulnerable from the socio-economic effects of the Corona Virus pandemic.

Kisumu Governor Prof Peter Anyang Nyong’o says the fund will be an investment in the Covid-19 Response Fund.

Addressing the press in Kisumu today during the official launch of the Kisumu County Covid-19 Response Fund, Governor Nyong’o said the shs 200 million is to be drawn from expenditure cuts in the current budget and other sources.

Nyong’o says the County Government want to be able to provide food and supplies to those whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by this pandemic.

He says about 90,000 people have been affected from the Socio-economic effects of the Corona virus pandemic.

Nyong’o further says the Fund will also receive cash donations for food purchases and supplies.

 He says the Executive in his government have also joined the rest of County government workers in the country by making personal contributions through salary cuts announced by the Council of Governors.

“My Deputy and I have taken a 30% pay cut, 20% for the County Executive Committee Members, 15% for the Chief Officers and 10% for the Directors. These voluntary salary cuts take effect this month 4 of April and will run for three months injecting a further Kshs. 3.7 Million to the Fund,” Nyong’o says.

The Governor adds that the County Assembly of Kisumu has also committed to make public their contribution to the Fund in the next few days.

Governor Nyong’o says beyond the financial contributions, they invite individuals and corporate to donate food, medical supplies and other materials to assist the people during this time of need.

“We continue to laud the many people and organizations who have already begun supporting us. 

Mr. Bhire Chathe of Kibos and Allied Industries; a member of KECOSOC have religiously supplied not only Kisumu County but the counties within the region and beyond with tens of thousands of litres of sanitizers and fumigation chemicals. We have also gone ahead to equip our quarantine centre at Lumumba Hospital with 30 hospital beds,” the Governor further says.

He has also appreciated the support from Kee Chong Li lKwong Wing, also a member of KECOSOC for the contribution of the SBM Bank of Kshs.1 Million and his personal contribution of sh100, 000. Pharm Access Foundation for his support with data resources to identify some of the vulnerable households and the educative short message services to people.

The Kisumu County COVID 19 Support Fund has been established today so as to help towards responding on the issues of the Corona virus pandemic.
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