Coronavirus: Gov’t to provide weekly allowance for needy families

President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced a raft of new measures to cushion various vulnerable groups in the country from effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

Addressing the Nation on Thursday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the government has began providing a weekly stipend to needy households in the country, with the pilot programme being rolled out in Nairobi.

“We have identified needy households in Nairobi that will be the inaugural recipients of the weekly COVID-19 support stipend. The piloting of the programme started yesterday and some of the beneficiaries have received their stipends,” said the President.

He, however, did not announce the amount each household is set to receive.

At the same time, the President directed that county governments receive a three-month waiver from the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency for the purchase of masks and personal protective equipment (PPEs) to protect health workers and members of public from infection.

“This waiver applies to sourcing of these products locally,” said Kenyatta.

To support the county governments in the combating the COVID-19 outbreak, the President said the National Government will provide an additional Ksh.5 billion to supplement the savings generated by the counties.

“These monies will be used to cushion the most vulnerable people and to protect our health care workers,” said Kenyatta.

He further announced the release of Ksh.8.5 billion to the elderly and vulnerable individuals under the cash transfer programme run by the Ministry of Labour.

Kenyatta added that Ksh.500 million which was in arrears have also been released to persons with disability.