This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread in Kenya, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has announced plans to deploy 50 volunteer health experts to 14 counties worst hit by the disease.
According to UNDP Resident Representative in Kenya Mr Walid Badawi, the programme is part of a Covid-19 response support initiative for counties spearheaded by the UNDP in partnership with its donors.
“Part of the support is directed towards the deployment of 50 United Nations volunteer (UNV) health experts to target counties for a period of six months,” said Mr Badawi in a letter addressed to the chair, Council of Governors, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
The 14 target counties include Busia, Garissa, Kajiado, Kakamega, Kiambu, Kilifi, Kisumu, Machakos, Mandera, Migori, Nairobi, Taita Taveta, Uasin Gishu, and Wajir.
Mr Badawi pointed out that the recruitment of the health experts is being undertaken in close collaboration with the respective County Public Service Boards of the 14 target counties.
The counties were initially identified by the Ministry of Health as most vulnerable to the pandemic, with Covid-19 cases in Kenya already surpassing the 6,000 mark and over 100 reported deaths.
The flagging-off ceremony of the volunteers is scheduled for July 1, 2020, in Kajiado County, where Nairobi County Governor Mike Sonko will be one of the chief guests.
