The number of vulnerable people affected by hunger due to covid-19 pandemic continues to rise in Othaya Sub-county, Deputy County Commissioner Henry Ochako has said.
Ochako attributed the rising cases to many people who have been rendered jobless since the outbreak of Covid 19 and the containment measures that were instituted to curb spread of the disease.
Speaking Wednesday in Othaya town during the distribution of food stuff by well-wishers and Othaya MP Gichuki Mugambi, Ochako appealed for more aid to the affected families.
He said the government is putting efforts to donate foodstuff to the affected families and called on all residents to join hands to defeat the pandemic.
He added that the government is giving 1,567 vulnerable residents Sh 1,000 each on weekly basis to cater for the very basic need.
Ochako added that though the money is not sufficient, it has cushioned them from extreme sufferings.
Speaking during the same occasion, area legislator Mugambi asked the residents to continue adhering to government directives to contain the spread of Coronavirus.
Gichuki said the food donated would benefit about 2,000 residents adding “Although our people are not generally badly off, in a crisis like people who help them from Nairobi and other places are able to help them,” Mugambi said.
He added that they are also disadvantaged by the pandemic and could not send aid back to their relatives and families.
He thanked the government for extending the curfew hours that now enables tea farmers to fend for themselves.
He called on other well-wishers to help the vulnerable people and make their lives more bearable.
Beneficiaries Richard Gichuki Waweru and Florence Kawira among others from Othaya thanked the MP for the food donations adding that they can now push on with life despite the pandemic which has affected all citizens.
By Beth Ndirangu
Vulnerable residents affected by hunger rise in Othaya, Nyeri County
