Kabazi MCA calls for local sourcing of food to cushion vulnerable

Kabazi Ward MCA Dr.Peter Mbae during an interview.PHOTO/Pristone Mambili.

Kabazi ward MCA Dr.Peter Mbae has appealed to the county government of Nakuru to ensure humanitarian food support for vulnerable is locally sourced.

According to Mbae, food such as maize and beans can be sourced from local farmers in Nakuru.

He has told off those who want to take advantage of the COVID-19 to satisfy their greedy interests.

Mbae who sponsored a motion in the county assembly last week on guidelines concerning the COVID-19 budget for the vulnerable says the essence is to ensure the interests of the locals are satisfied through a structured way.

Mbae who is also a member of the Disaster Management Committee in the county assembly of Nakuru says the aim is to ensure every coin of the 250 million is well utilised to the needy persons.

“As the mover of the motion on guidelines, I want to ensure this is done in a structured way so that citizens can get the value of money,” he said.

According to the vocal Nakuru MCA, the money on COVID-19  is taxpayer’s money and should be well utilised.As per the guidelines, some of the proposed foodstuffs include Maize and beans. Other items include soap, cooking oil, as well as flour. They target 1 million persons in Nakuru county.

In monetary value, every household is expected to get 1200 sh as per the cost of the items.

The Kabazi ward MCA has called on members of the ward committees to ensure apart from providing the list of vulnerable households, they also provide a list of farmers who have readily available foodstuff such as maize and beans which can be sourced.

“Members of the committees after meeting should tell us what they have in terms of needs based on the guidelines passed by the county assembly. We are asking them to come up with a list of beneficiaries by Friday. They should also come up with a list of farmers who have maize that they can sell to the committee” said Mbae.

The MCA says it will not be for county government to source food from Nairobi while the same could.be sourced from the local farmers in Nakuru.

“We cannot allow lorries from other counties to come here yet our farmers have the maize that they can supply. We appeal to the county to ensure Mopping of maize from the locals will help,” he said.

According to MCA Mbae, Nakuru is an agricultural county and farmers have maize hence there is no need for sourcing from Nairobi to benefit few individuals’ interests.<

He adds, “time is now that leaders take Devolution from the county headquarters to the grassroots”.

On the motion he sponsored guidelines, he is optimistic that the executive will implement adding that already an ad- hoc committee of the county assembly is following up on the same.

“We are very hopeful that this will work as per the objective,” said Mbae.

County launches emergency support initiative to cushion vulnerable

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui and Redcross County Coordinator Elizabeth Achieng’ during the launch of the emergency support initiative.PHOTO/Pristone Mambili.

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui on Thursday launched the Nakuru Community Support Initiative -an emergency support initiative to cushion the vulnerable who have been affected by COVID-19 pandemic.

The initiative is a partnership between the County Government of Nakuru and the Kenya Red cross.

Addressing media during the launch, Kinyanjui said the emergency Support targets the urban residents who have been rendered jobless due to the pandemic.

“We are not targeting on rural poor people but those in urban who have been rendered jobless due to COVID-19 pandemic” said Kinyanjui.

He added that for the last two weeks baseline survey had been conducted that helped determine the degree of need.

Nakuru County Red cross coordinator Elizabeth Akinyi on her part assuring residents of Nakuru that the organization will use all the items at their disposal to ensure they cushion the needy in society during the pandemic.

“As Red Cross, our is to assure that we shall use all the items at our disposal to reach out to the needy in society” she said.

Meanwhile a committee has also been availed that will ensure the humanitarian support food is distributed in a planned order to avert injuries and chaos.

Governor Kinyanjui noting that there have been cases where donors and well-wishers have distributed food to the needy but then some much needy cases arises afterwards.

He said to avert the same; the guidelines issued by the national government should be adhered to

“To avert confusion, the National Government has already given guidelines on how the humanitarian food should be distributed and that is what should be adhered to” he said.

In line with this, Kinyanjui noted that already a command center has been set up and well-wishers are urged to assist with various items channeled to Red Cross office next to Mama Ngina Primary in Shabaab.

He reiterated that with proper coordination then no needy person will be left out during the distribution of the food.

The Governor also calling on those with vehicles that can offer transportation of the food to do so by contacting the Red Cross office in Nakuru.

While citing that as leaders they are also equally disturbed by the continued failure by residents  to adhere to restrained movement in the prohibited counties, the county boss stated that they will intensify the patrols.

He however called on Nakuru residents and Kenyans at large to ensure they adhere to the guidelines set by government in the fight against COVID-19.

He warned those trying to go against the set standards and guidelines that the law will face up with them.

Similar sentiments echoed by Nakuru County Commissioner Erastus Mbui who stated that the security team has had a few challenges in the slum areas of Nakuru.

“There are some individuals who are taking this issue very casually and it’s upon us who understand to share information and ensure everyone is in compliance. Its a communal responsibility to ensure we are successful” he said.

Then county Commissioner calling on residents around Salgaa and Mai Mahiu to ensure they be extra vigilant to avert contamination.

Mbui who is also the Chairman County Security Committee said they will be scrutinizing to ensure that no unauthorized persons are transported in cargo vehicles.

He noted that they have sensed quite a number of ‘panya routes’ on the borders of Nakuru and Nyandarua counties for those trying to move to Nairobi but they will deal with anyone who tries to contravene the Presidential directive on movement.

“We have sensed quite a number of panya routes on the borders of Nakuru and Nyandarua.Be warned that if found the law will face up with you as per the gazette notice and legal action will follow” he said.

 

Mututho calls on Governor Kinyanjui to roll out food program for the vulnerable

Former Naivasha MP John Mututho addressing media at his Jomec Rehab. [Source/Pristone Mambili]
Former Naivasha MP John Mututho has called on the county government of Nakuru to roll out food program for  the vulnerable during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Through a phone interview,Mututho said groups such as street children,the elderly,the IDPs,orphans,and the commercial sex workers in Nakuru town need to be supported.

He says the groups are residents of Nakuru and should be supported during this time when the country is facing the COVID-19 pandemic.

He says the county food distribution program for the vulnerable should should also be entrusted in the hands of very honest persons.

This,he says will ensure that the food reaches the target group and not the greedy in society who might use the opportunity to satisfy their own interests.

“My appeal to Governor Kinyanjui is for us not to wait for the National Government to act.This is the time that he needs to roll out the food program for the most vulnerable groups” said Mututho.

His sentiments coming a time when Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has hinted of a possible lockdown.

Addressing media in Nakuru on Friday,the governor was categorical that the curfew might not help much in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

He appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to consider declaring a total Lockdown.

 

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