The Government on Saturday, April 11, banned uncoordinated direct distribution of food and non-donations and directed that all activities be done through the county governments, Commissioners and COVID-19 Fund Board only.
In a statement by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, the government stated that the donations led to the violation of directives set to combat the spread of Covid-19.
"These additional measures will secure the coordination, consolidation, demarcation and distribution of donations in a dignified manner to the vulnerable members of our society across the country, based on the already developed needs map, whilst ensuring that the same is rolled out in a transparent and accountable manner," read the statement in part.
He directed that well-wishers and donors based in Nairobi should reach out to the Kenya COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund headquartered at the KICC first floor.
Those who wished to contribute at the county level have been asked to liaise with the county governments.
The stiffer measures will ensure that the distribution of the donations is done in a more coordinated way to those in need.
In addition, the measures will ensure accountability and transparency in the distribution of the donations.
"The National Government Administration Officers are directed to work closely with the National Police Service to secure strict enforcement of this directive, and further communicate the Fund details and information to all key stakeholders and local community actors in coordinating this national endeavour," read an excerpt of the statement.
The measures have been stiffened a day after two women died during a stampede in Kibra during a food distribution exercise. The items were donated by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The women, who were in their mid-thirties, died as a result of suffocation during the stampede.
Chaos erupted at Kibra as hundreds of people tried to force their way into the District Commissioner's office to get a share of Raila's donation.
On Thursday, April 9, the ODM leader, his wife Ida Odinga among other sponsors donated a consignment, which included food, sanitizer, soap, oil and water, through the national government.
The hundreds who had flocked the DC's office appeared to throw caution to the wind over the government's directive on social distancing.
Police were forced to lob teargas in order to disperse residents who were trying to force their way into the premises.
