This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
On April 10, 224 members of Muthaiga Golf Club had collectively raised Sh1.2 million for their 210 caddies through the 'Shikilia Caddies Welfare Initiative.'
Club captain Sneha Patel acknowledged that while the amount raised was significant, it was still insufficient to meet the needs of the caddies, with each caddy set to receive Sh5,000.
Patel expressed gratitude to members who had contributed to the initiative, but also acknowledged that the target had been set too low, and that more needed to be done to support the caddies.
Patel revealed that the club had written to the Ministry of Sports through the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) to request permission for a limited number of caddies to be allowed onto the golf course for ball spotting purposes, with strict social distancing measures in place.
Other golf clubs, including Golf Park, Karen Country Club, Vet Lab Sports Club, Thika Sports Club, and Royal Nairobi Golf Club, have also initiated similar support programs for their caddies.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe had ordered the closure of all golf clubs and club houses on April 7, in an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, with members allowed to play without caddies and with strict social distancing measures in place.
