This archive report was first published on 24 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect sports globally, a glimmer of hope has emerged in Kenya. Harambee Stars midfielder Johanna Omollo, who plays for Cercle Brugge in the Belgian top-tier "Jupiler Pro League", has been leading a relief effort to support vulnerable families in his native Dandora, Nairobi.
On Saturday, Omollo facilitated the distribution of food rations to 300 families in Dandora, courtesy of the Johanna Omollo Foundation. The rations included essential items such as rice, sugar, maize flour, potatoes, cabbages, and soap.
This is the third time in two months that the Foundation has offered such donations. Omollo expressed his motivation for helping his community, saying, "I am always motivated to share the little that I have with the people in Dandora, because that's where I come from. I am encouraged that the government and other stakeholders are also doing their bit," he told Nation Sport from Belgium.
Omollo's initiative is not the only one in the country. In Iten, the Iten Business Community teamed up with Athletics Kenya and the Elgeyo-Marakwet County Government to make donations to vulnerable athletes. Over 170 athletes converged at Iten Primary School where they were handed over a package of food.
County Sports Executive Anita Kimwattan, who led the exercise, emphasized the need for stakeholders to come on board and help athletes who are suffering due to the effects of the pandemic. "Athletes have always carried our flag high and not all of them are able to put food on the table and that is why we are here to supply them with the little food from the business community in collaboration with county government as we ask other stakeholders to come aboard and help," she said.
