The Thika West Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Douglas Mutai has appealed for food donations to support over 5,000 vulnerable families affected by the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in area slums.
He said most of those affected were in Kiandutu, Kiang’ombe, Gachagi, Matharau and Umoja slums where residents survive on casual jobs that were no longer available.
The slums are the most populous in the Sub County, and lead in crime rates.
Speaking when receiving food donations for 1,000 families from the Shree Hindu Dharma Mandi community in Thika town on Wednesday, the DCC said residents in those slums were in dire need of food.
He said Thika town has enough industries and called on them to come out to help these groups, adding that most of the slum population work in the same industries.
“Times like these call for individuals, communities, public and private sectors to rally and support each other. Most of these people are your workers and it is fair to support them with food rations during this period. As soon as this pandemic is over, they will be back with you,” he said.
The donations included maize meal, rice and masks among other items.
Mutai also warned that bar owners who were still operating in defiance of a government directive would have their licenses cancelled, besides being taken to court.
By Muoki Charles
