The Kisumu county government has established an emergency fund to fight Covid-19 and cushion the less fortunate who have been adversely hit by the effects of the pandemic.
The fund to be administered by Kisumu County Social and Economic Council (KECOSOC) targets to raise Sh. 800 million as the fight against the deadly virus intensifies.
While making the announcement in Kisumu on Thursday, Governor Anyang Nyong’o said the county government has already committed Sh. 200 million to the fund.
The money, he said, has been drawn from expenditure cuts in the current budget and other sources.
Various cadres of the Executive in the county government, he added have agreed to take salary cuts with effect from April 1, 2020 to bolster the fund.
“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,” he disclosed.
These voluntary salary cuts which will run for three months shall inject an additional Sh. 3.7 million to the Fund, he said.
He added that besides going directly in the fight against the spread of the virus, the funds will be used to deliver food rations and other forms of support to area residents who are unable to go on with their economic activities due to the pandemic.
Others targeted are 450, 000 people considered to be needy after a recent survey carried out during the roll out of Universal Health Coverage Programme.
“We want to be able to provide food and supplies to those whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by this pandemic,” he said.
The Fund, he said will receive cash donations to make the purchases urging individuals and corporates to donate food, medical supplies and other materials to assist the vulnerable.
“I want to pledge that the generous contributions will be managed in a transparent manner under an open inclusive structure that will ensure the much needed help reaches the intended recipients,” he assured.
Even though Kisumu is among the counties flagged as high risk for the pandemic, out of the 24 samples tested the county has not recorded a positive case.
With the number of cases rising in the country, the governor called for adherence of guidelines issued by the ministry of health to keep the virus at bay.
By Chris Mahandara
County sets up Covid-19 emergency response fund
