BUNGOMA, Monday, April 27, 2020
Governor Wangamati today flagged off the distribution of food aid to vulnerable households across the County.
The exercise follows calls by the National Government to Kenyans to minimise movement and avoid crowded places as part of the measures to check the spread of Covid-19 in the Country – a fact Governor Wangamati noted had affected businesses and livelihoods of residents.
“As a result of some of the measures in place to check the spread of Coronavirus, businesses and other sources of income in the County have suffered a great deal – exposing our people to the real danger of starvation, especially if we do not get to the end of this pandemic soon enough,” Governor Wangamati said.
“As a Government, we are working in collaboration with the Red Cross, the National Chamber of Commerce and the National Government to provide food support to some of the vulnerable households across the County,” he added.
According to Governor Wangamati, the first phase of this plan will see some 6,000 households receive a food pack estimated to last them a month.
“Today, we are flagging off the distribution of food subsidies donated by the Bungoma County Business Community to some 500 households of the 6,000 households,” he said.
Each of the 500 households will receive 20kgs of flour, 2litres of cooking oil, 2kgs of rice, 2kgs of sugar, 1 bar soap and I litre of sanitiser.
By Governor Wangamati’s own account, the County has planned to distribute food aid to an estimated 120,000 vulnerable households in the County in the second phase.
The process of identifying vulnerable households, still an ongoing exercise, is being undertaken by the Red Cross, the County Government and National Government.
Today’s distribution targeted informal settlements in Bungoma town, Webuye, Kimilili, Chwele and Kapsokwony in Mt Elgon.
The Governor said next week, the County will be flagging yet another consignment of food aid to cover all the wards of the County.
He called on well-wishers to step in and help contribute towards saving vulnerable residents.
He said the County will receive donations in kind while all moneys shall be channelled through a committee chaired by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce to:
