A group of elderly and vulnerable women from the shanties of Thika’s Majengo estate have a reason to smile after a well-wisher offered them food donations today.
The over 100 women, who claimed to have been going hungry for days benefited from wheat and maize flour, beans, soaps, sugar among other items from former Thika town MP, Alice Ng’ang’a.
They claimed to have been suffering from hunger and health challenges before the intervention.
“Urban life is difficult for the aged. We have to forfeit meals despite suffering from health complications. Most of the times we rely on donations from well-wishers,” said Lydia Wanjiru, their representative.
Lucia Mumbi, the former MP’s representative who mobilised the issuance of the foodstuffs said most of the women have not been enrolled in the government’s cash transfer program.
She said the women have been grappling with their children’s drunkenness and need regular support and check up to avert cases of sexual assault.
She said the sick lack home care services and attention, and need to be enrolled in the free NHIF cover.
“County governments should conduct a door to door survey to have a list of all the suffering elderly women. Then, come up with a programme to provide healthcare services and food donations,” she said.
By Muoki Charles
