Baringo MP Faults pay cuts over Coronavirus

The decision by President Uhuru Kenyatta to propose voluntary pay cuts among top public servants to raise emergency funds for Covid-19 is ill advised, Baringo Central Member of Parliament (MP), Joshua Kandie has said.
Kandie instead suggested that MPs, who are currently on recess should be recalled for a special sitting in parliament, to identify sectors where the government can source for the emergency funds required for the fight against coronavirus.
“Instead of sourcing money via pay cuts, the government ought to empower the counties by giving them extra funds to enable them purchase the necessary medical supplies that are needed in the fight against COVID-19 disease,” he said.
The Baringo central MP urged his electorate to adhere to the dusk-to-dawn curfew to be enforced daily countrywide from Friday as a way of curbing the spread of the deadly coronavirus.
“I am asking my people to take the government’s directive of staying at home seriously by remaining in their homes without moving anywhere from 7pm to 5am. COVID-19 disease is not something the people should take lightly,” said the legislator.
Kandie asked the residents to take the necessary precautions that have been put in place such as regular hand washing with sanitisers and clean water to avoid contracting the deadly viral disease.
“The European countries that are developed face serious problems because of coronavirus. I’m insisting that we should stay at home to avoid acquiring the virus which has taken the lives of thousands across the world,” said Kandie.
The legislator further expressed worry that Kenya still lags behind in terms of medical equipment and if the pandemic increases because of negligence of the people, the situation will get out of hand.
“I would also urge the government to come up with quick solutions which will ensure people get the supplies they need at home because staying at home and doing nothing will not help the people because they need to work and earn money in order to provide for their families,” the MP said.
The legislator made the remarks in Seretunin area during an inspection tour of a road under construction.
Seretunin Chief Patrick Kiprop who urged the residents to avoid social gatherings in the village and keep distance from each other, asked them to follow the guidelines set by the government as a measure to stop the spread of the deadly viral disease.
By Cleophas Kibiwott and Christopher Kiprop