More than 1500 vulnerable and needy people in Homa-Bay have benefitted from food and nonfood items donated by businessman Jared Kiasa.
The relief aid was distributed to already-identified needy persons in seven out of eight constituencies to cushion the residents from adverse impacts of covid-19.
Kiasa channels the aid to a community-based organisation called Homa Bay Youth for Change Movement through his Jared Otieno Foundation.
Kiasa works with local administrators and opinion leaders across the county to identify the beneficiaries who are elderly persons, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable and needy people.
On Friday, they distributed rice, maize flour, sugar, cooking oil and bars of soap in Suba South and Rangwe constituencies.
Kiasa started the initiative after President Uhuru Kenyatta appealed to well-wishers to support the vulnerable people in the society as they fight covid-19.
“Elderly persons and other needy people need assistance so they don’t suffer as the government fights the killer virus which is interfering with the economy of our country as the time goes by,” Kiasa said.
Speaking at Genga chief’s camp in Rangwe town, Homa Bay Youth for Change Movement headed by Chairman Ely Oyier, Co-coordinator Hezron Orata and his deputy Helen Ayugi said that many elderly people do suffer in silence as a result of food shortage.
Oyier revealed that their objective is to ensure that Homa Bay residents especially the vulnerable groups survive during the pandemic.
“It’s important to reach out to vulnerable persons with any support available to improve their lives because we still don’t know where the virus will take us,” Oyier said.
Oyier and Ayugi challenged leaders in the county to come out and support the county residents.
“This initiative is making impact in the lives of the people we reach out to and this journey in distribution of the relief food has made us realize that covid-19 has negatively affected many people,” he said.
Ayugi expressed concerns about how women were suffering in the area.
“Many women are suffering because their husbands have abandoned them with family responsibilities. They need aid,” Ayugi said.
By Dan Oduor and Davis Langat
