This archive report was first published on 20 May 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread across the country, the Council of Governors has expressed concern over the delay in the disbursement of funds to support the fight against the disease.
According to Wycliffe Oparanya, the Council chairman and Kakamega Governor, the National Treasury has yet to release the Ksh5 billion announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta to support the counties in their efforts to combat the disease.
As of last week, 807 people were in quarantine facilities in 40 counties, and Oparanya noted that they will be discharged at various dates after completing the duration of the quarantine.
Community Response Counties have been working closely with community groups in the Covid-19 response, and so far, community teams have sensitised 11 million people on Covid-19 and distributed 166,000 Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials.
98,000 people have been screened, of whom 1,986 have been referred for sample testing.
However, Oparanya decried the lack of mobile testing centres at the border counties, despite a spike in cross-border infections.
“Border counties are yet to receive the mobile labs that were promised by the Ministry of Health. These centres should be distributed to allow for testing of the few persons allowed to cross the borders,” he said.
On the flood situation in the country, Oparanya disclosed that 805,000 people have been displaced across 39 counties, with women and girls most affected.
The floods have claimed the lives of 237 people, and Oparanya noted that counties affected by floods have put mechanisms in place to address these challenges by providing shelter and foodstuff to the vulnerable women.
Expectant mothers have been prioritized in their efforts, and blankets have been distributed to the victims, particularly the elderly who are vulnerable to weather elements.
However, Oparanya added that the affected counties do not have sufficient resources to deal with the demands.
“We are appealing to well-wishers to support the Counties particularly with items such as dignity packs, soap, blankets, dry foods, cooking oil and diapers. This will go a long way in helping women and girls affected by floods,” he said.
On desert locusts, Oparanya said the threat has been diminished significantly, with only three counties - Turkana, Samburu, and Marsabit - affected where locusts have started hatching eggs.
He noted that through their collaboration with the national government, they have put in place adequate measures to control the nymphs so that they don’t spread to other counties.
