This archive report was first published on 17 July 2020.
On July 16, 2020, the European Union announced a Sh302.5 million grant to support nine counties in Kenya in their fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
The grant, which will be implemented over the next seven months, aims to increase testing, enhance home-based care, and support local innovations such as no-touch hand-washing stations.
Speaking in Nanyuki, Amref Health Africa Country Director Meshack Ndirangu emphasized the importance of flattening the curve and slowing down infections in the country.
“Our aim is to prevent an upsurge in cases that may overwhelm our health system,” Dr Ndirangu said.
The counties set to benefit from the grant are Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Nyeri, Uasin Gishu, Machakos, Kitui, Kajiado, and Laikipia.
Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi welcomed the initiative, citing the need to boost testing capacity and curb the spread of the pandemic.
“We want to boost testing because the national testing capacity remains constrained. For instance, it is taking us many hours to get results,” Mr Muriithi said.
