Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Cabinet Secretary Affairs Salim Mvurya has pledged government commitment and support to organisations running humanitarian programmes.
Speaking during a Partner of the Year award ceremony organised by Compassion International and churches at Elim Church, Mombasa under the theme “Towards Self-Sustenance through Innovation,” Mvurya said the organisation complements government efforts in health, education, child rights and livelihoods.
In the Coast and Lower Eastern region, he said the organisation is supporting over 100,000 children in sponsorship, survival interventions in early childhood, youth development and targeted response.
“They have made a difference through the combined efforts of 466 churches in Kenya, with 120 located in the Coastal area, which we are commending today.
These frontline churches are well-equipped to cater to the needs of children within their communities, with more than 34,000 children receiving support in the Coastal region and over 138,000 children throughout the country,” said the CS.
Mvurya noted that for the first time in history, the government has increased the education budget to Sh600 billion to ensure all children access education.
Mvurya called on Kenyans to support the efforts saying the national government is collaborating with county governments in the deployment of Community Health Promoters (CHPs).
“The Partnership of Compassion International and local churches is an excellent step towards sustainable development, by empowering children out of the cycle of poverty enabling them to participate and benefit from the economic transformation of our country,” said Mvurya.
“Collaboration is a beacon of hope, demonstrating that transformational change is possible and achievable when diverse entities come together with a common purpose. Our local churches stepped in the values of empathy and service, with Compassion International, towards releasing children from poverty in Jesus’ name,” he added.
The CS noted that the government is prioritising sustainable economic development and socio-economic transformation through the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to provide sustainable solutions to cost of living, food scarcity, unemployment, and poverty problems.
The government, he said, aims to utilise the diverse resources in the Coast region to create job opportunities, promote entrepreneurship, and improve living standards.
“The government supports initiatives that enhance sectors like tourism, agriculture, and trade while preserving the region’s natural beauty,” he said.
Mvurya guaranteed humanitarian organisations of government commitment to preserving peace and stability for them to carry out their activities in the Coast region.
“Our law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to combat crime, protect communities, families, and children, and foster a conducive environment for growth.
However, security is a shared responsibility, I urge each of you to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities,” he said.
On his part, National Director of Compassion International, Samuel Wambugu said the government is their biggest partner in their activities and they are impressed with the strides they have made in poverty alleviation.
By Sadik Hassan
