Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, detailed how Kenya had faired, one month after reporting its first Coronavirus (Covid-19) case on Friday, March 13.
Kagwe explained how the government had spent millions donated towards the fight against Coronavirus outbreak in Kenya. On Monday, March 16, a statement issued by the World Bank detailed that Kenya would receive Ksh6 billion in funding.
Kenyatta, in March 2020, also mobilized approximately Ksh 2 billion from the private sector as other philanthropists such as Jack Ma (China) also donated 20,000 test kits, 100,000 masks and 1,000 medical protective suits and face shields. Steel magnate Narendra Raval on Thursday, April 2, also pledged Ksh 100 million towards the fight against Covid-19 in the country, through supply of Oxygen.
Accountability
Kagwe detailed that the government bought Ksh 140 million worth of personal protection equipment (PPEs), tested 8,123 samples from quarantined persons and their contacts, prepared and mapped the country for upcoming mass testing and mobilized 500 ventilators for critical care.
"In one month, we also manufactured and distributed millions of litres of sanitizer, designated health facilities for Covid 19 management at both National and County levels, sensitized over 100,000 health workers and community health volunteers.
"We also set up isolation and quarantine facilities. We have set up 1664 isolation beds across the counties, developed and circulated Covid-19 protocols on the pediatric response, community response to Covid-19 and burial procedures, and set up and operationalised the Kenya Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund," Kagwe explained.
Donations
The CS appreciated the efforts of Kenyans who had united to raise funds or assist in whatsoever way but explained that all funds were to be channelled to the Emergency Response Fund. On April 4, a Kenyan trader addressed a Ksh10,500 cheque to President Uhuru Kenyatta hoping that it will make its way to the Covid-19 management kitty.
"Kenyans of goodwill have come out in large numbers to offer material and financial support, to the vulnerable members of our society. We want to appreciate them for their generosity and appeal to others to emulate
"However, to streamline any future donations, we encourage such help to be channelled and coordinated through Kenya Covid-19 emergency response fund located at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre and can be reached out through 0722 429949, or email secretariat@kenyacovidfund.co.ke," Kagwe stated.
Grey Areas
However, Kagwe and the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) differed on the protection of medical practitioners as the latter maintained that a number of health workers were currently under quarantine following exposure to Covid-19 after Kagwe refuted the allegations.
"We are not happy to announce our colleagues are no longer fit to serve, we can't just be announcing that they are currently under observation when they aren't, what purpose does it serve?" KMPDU Secretary-General Chibanzi Mwachonda informed Kenyans.co.ke.
Snaida Ayub, a professional counsellor informed Kenyans.co.ke that the medical practitioners needed more than protective gear. She detailed that the Ministry of Health should also consider counselling the medics who were on the frontline against Coronavirus.
"The medics are fighting a pandemic that is new to them. They should be counselled under supervision, that is be counselled while still undertaking their duties. They may be experiencing trauma or exhaustion or fear of contracting the diseases. I understand they are operating under a tight schedule but for them to be effective, they should be protected and counselled. One may also fear to infect his or her family and this may affect how duty is discharged," she advised.
Another grey area still to be discussed in detail was how to approach the contentious issue of waiving rent for Kenyans. Speaking to The Standard, Treasury CS Ukur Yattani made it clear that the state would not compel landlords to waive rent but they were free to do it on their own volition.
"We decided that a rent waiver could destroy the industry," stated Yattani as quoted by the report on Tuesday, March 14.
More Solutions
The Members of Parliament will also meet on Tuesday, April 13, as they look forward to debating President Uhuru Kenyatta's Tax Laws Bill. The amendments include excise duty, fees and other charges in computing the taxable value for fuel. The bill introduces Value Added Tax on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Kenyatta also announced the reduction of PAYE from 30% to 25% and temporary suspension of listing on CRB of any persons, micro, small, medium entities and corporate entities whose loan account fall due or is in arrears effective, April 1, 2020.
"I expect them to agree with Kenyatta but I would appeal they reduce VAT from 16 to 8 per cent instead of the 14 per cent directed by the president. If you noticed, most businesses are struggling and a reduction of two per cent is still not enough to jump-start the economy. For PAYE reducing, employers will take advantage of that tax and ask employees to take pay cuts up to Ksh 24,000 to circumvent issue on taxes," Nicholas Gachara, a financial consultant informed Kenyans.co.ke.
Video: NTV
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