United Kingdom gives vulnerable families Sh144m
Reuben Mwambingu @reubenmwambingu
The United Kingdom government has announced Sh144 million financial support to cushion vulnerable families living in informal settlements in Mombasa.
British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, said the money will benefit 10,000 vulnerable individuals from the negative economic impacts of Covid-19 economic.
Funds will be channeled through mobile cash transfers directly to individuals and families.
“It will help with their most pressing needs such as paying rent, purchasing food or other basic items,” Marriot said during a joint press briefing with Governor Hassan Joho at his office yesterday.
Marriott had visited the Tudor Moroto informal settlement where she came face to face with deplorable lives of the slum dwellers and hardship caused by Coronavirus.
“I was at the Moroto Slums this morning where I had an interaction with the potential beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme.
I also held meetings with coastal governors, and young entrepreneurs, to hear about the UK and Kenya’s thriving partnership on tech and innovation,” she said.
Announcement, she said, is part of the UK’s support to 50,000 people living in informal settlements in Mombasa and Nairobi counties.
Marriott assured Kenya of the UK’s continued support during the harsh times of the pandemic.
“Corona pandemic is global: we are all in this together. Across the world, there is a significant impact on people’s jobs and livelihoods.
The UK and Kenya are working together to support companies, jobs and families who need help during this difficult time,” she noted.
Basic supplies
Support, she said will also stimulate the wider local economy as most of the basic items are supplied by small business owners living within their communities.
On his part Governor Joho, said besides the assistance on effects of the pandemic, the county will also be looking forward for support from UK on various economic issues including access to clean fresh water for its people.
“We had lengthy discussion on various issues ranging from Covid-19 to economic issues and how to dislodge the county from various challenges we have been experiencing.
For instance, Mombasa has not been having its own fresh water, we have been relying on water from neighboring Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta counties.
From our partnership, we hope to find a lasting solution to this challenge,” said Joho.
“I cannot thank the UK Government and the British people enough for this kind gesture. It is not just about philanthropy but more to do with humanity.
This means a lot to the people of Mombasa and the country at large. The devastation occasioned on the world economy by the Covid-19 pandemic, can amongst many other things, be mitigated through initiatives meant to resuscitate the economies at the grassroots.”
