There is an urgent need to establish a foodstuffs pool in Kirinyaga County, where well-wishers and various organizations can deliver their contributions for later distribution to the vulnerable people in the area.
The Deputy Governor, Peter Ndambiri said such a pool should be set up urgently since about 65 per cent of the area population depended on casual employment for their daily livelihoods.
“Due to the coronavirus pandemic these casual jobs were no longer available as most families now stick to their respective homes, hence the need for provision of food to those affected by loss of income,” he said.
Speaking on Friday to the press after attending a brief burial ceremony for the former County Kanu Treasurer, the late Waweru Gachibiri at Kimandi village in Kirinyaga Central Sub- County, Ndambiri urged the members of the local business community and other well-to-do individuals to start making their food donations to the nearest chief’s offices.
“Once food is delivered to the chief’s office, the respective administrator will give the rations to the most deserving cases including the severely disabled and the landless who live on small village plots,” he said.
During the burial ceremony, Ndambiri eulogized the late Gachibiri as an opinion leader greatly loved by his people, due to his dedicated service and devotion to their cause.
Area MP, Munene Wambugu who was also among the mourners asked Kenyans to strictly observe all the safety guidelines issued the government regarding prevention of coronavirus and strive to stay safe at all times.
“This pandemic is real and dangerous to human existence, we must be very careful to remain free from the virus by washing our hands, keeping the prescribed social distance and embrace regular washing of hands,” said the MP.
The late Gachibiri died suddenly out of natural causes while being rushed to the Kerugoya Referral Hospital, according to a postmortem report issued on April 18.
An Anglican priest who conducted the brief burial ceremony asked Kenyans not to view the coronavirus as a determinant to the end of the world.
Reverend John Karani said the pandemic should be treated like all other challenges in life though its magnitude had shaken the entire world.
“God in heaven is still watching over us and He cannot forsake those who trust and believe in Him, regardless of this pandemic,” the priest told the mourners.
The late Gachibiri is survived by his wife and five children. Earlier on, he had served as the Chairman of the Kirinyaga Water and Sewerage Company (KIRIWASCO) for a record six years.
By Irungu Mwangi
