As Kenya remains adamant that the United States decision to pull out from financing the World Health Organisation would not affect her fight against Covid-19, she remains optimistic about receiving other aids.
On Wednesday, April 15, Patrick Amoth, director-general at the Ministry of Health, stated that Kenya would turn to other donors to fund her Coronavirus fight, as Health CS Mutahi Kagwe during a presser at Afya House Nairobi, informed that US President Donald Trumps decision would be analysed by the WHO.
"It is not the time for the world to be divided but rather to unite. We will not succeed if we go in different ways. Covid-19 has exposed the world to a little bit of selfishness, but that is the wrong way to go," Amoth stated as Kagwe announced that Kenya's Coronavirus cases had totalled to 225, with 10 fatalities and 53 recoveries reported.
The United Nations put Kenya on its watch list as several nations that could benefit from a $2 trillion (Over Ksh 211 trillion) global emergency fund, in their March 2020 report.
Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Madagascar, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste as well as countries in Central America and the Pacific region were also listed.
In its March report, UN Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock stated that the agency's priority is to help these countries prepare and continue helping the millions who rely on humanitarian assistance from the UN to survive.
"To leave the world’s poorest and most vulnerable countries to their fate would be both cruel and unwise.
"The virus is now spreading in countries with weak health systems, including some which are already facing humanitarian crises. These countries need our support – out of solidarity but also to protect us all and help suppress this pandemic," Lowcock stated.
Kenya, burdened with debts from countries such as China, is in financial dire straits as some sections of civil workers (Posta) and County government officials (like in Homa Bay County) are facing the risk of delayed salaries.
Another issue that may add weight on her shoulder is a looming total lockdown, as Health CS Mutahi Kagwe warned that MOH may be forced to replicate measures set up in Nairobi, Kwale, Kilifi and Mombasa to all other counties, as the disease was reported in 21 counties as at Wednesday, April 15. On April 6, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered cessation of movement for 21 days.
“We have not banned inter-county movement but as the situation evolves, then measures that we take will also evolve. As you know we have discouraged movement across counties anyway. We have said you should stay at home for your own safety given the circumstances that are out there," Kagwe stated in his address on Wednesday, April 15.
