This archive report was first published on 23 May 2020.
The Kenya COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund has received a significant boost in its fight against the pandemic, with Sh3.2 billion worth of cash and other donations pouring in. This comes as the country continues to grapple with the spread of the virus, with the Ministry of Health warning that the peak will be in August or September.
According to Jane Karuku, Chairperson of the Fund, the donations will be used to purchase Personal Protective Equipment for all hospitals and refugee camps in the country. “Hopefully, we will start distributing PPE’s by Wednesday next week,” she said.
Kenya has so far conducted 57,650 tests since the first case was detected in March, with 1,192 infections and 50 fatalities reported by May 23. The government has urged Kenyans to take the pandemic seriously, with President Uhuru Kenyatta announcing a massive Sh53.7 billion stimulus package to revive the economy.
Reverend Peter Munga, Secretary-General of the Kikuyu Council of Elders, also urged Kenyans to heed to the government's advice, saying “Our simple message to Kenyans is that they take this pandemic very seriously. This is a matter of showing that you truly care about others.”
