This archive report was first published on 26 June 2020.
As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Kenya continues to rise, the government has spent a staggering Sh6.4 billion in the past three months to respond to the pandemic.
According to the third mini-budget tabled in Parliament on June 24, Sh6.35 billion has been spent so far, with the Treasury allocating an additional Sh3.35 billion in the Third Supplementary Budget.
Of the total amount spent, Sh5.85 billion has been shared among the 47 counties to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, while the rest was distributed to national referral hospitals for acquiring test kits and reagents.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had ordered counties to prepare well for handling the pandemic in his monthly address to the nation on COVID-19 on June 10.
Donors like Chinese billionaire Jack Ma have also donated equipment, some of which was stolen on arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Despite the efforts, Kenya is still struggling to acquire testing kits, reagents, and personal protective gear for health workers.
Some of the funds have been allocated to specific hospitals, including Mbagathi Hospital and Coast General Hospital, which have been handling the bulk of COVID-19 patients.
