Betty Kyallo's Emotional Appeal to Kenyans Over Covid-19 [VIDEO]

K24 news anchor Betty Kyallo pictured at the broadcaster's studios on April 17, 2020
K24 news anchor Betty Kyallo pictured at the broadcaster's studios on April 17, 2020
Twitter

Celebrated K24 news anchor Betty Kyallo on Friday, April 24 shared a stirring appeal to Kenyans as she observed how many were suffering in various ways due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a video that has since been widely circulated, Kyallo noted that she was inundated with over 150 messages daily from Kenyans revealing just how badly they had been affected by the crisis, with many parents struggling to feed their children.

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, she stated that she felt the message was necessary, explaining: “I think the country needs this kind of message. People are really depressed.” 

File image of K24 anchor Betty Kyallo
File image of K24 anchor Betty Kyallo
K24 Digital

Noting that she had endeavored to support those she could, including a children’s home, Kyallo made an appeal to regular Kenyans to use the little they had for the benefit of others in their communities, suggesting various ways in which they could help.

“For everyone who’s watching and you can do a little something for one or two families, how about you do just that?

“How about you send a needy family just a thousand bob. For them it’ll mean so much, they’ll have food for like two or three days.

“How about you do shopping and give it to your next-door neighbor or in a nearby neighborhood? How about you just do something, even your own small thing, so that life doesn’t crush us all, so that at least we’re able to help somebody who’s in need,” she posed.

Making it clear that her life wasn’t a fairy-tale as some assumed, Kyallo noted that she wished she was in a better position to help more families, alluding to the vast wealth of some Kenyan politicians and how it could be put to use to help others during these uncertain times.

Kyallo revealed that the thought of not being able to provide for her own child, Ivanna, brought her close to tears even as she wondered how many who have lost their sources of income during this period were surviving.

“It’s so heart-breaking as a mum, I can imagine coming home and Ivanna being like mum, food iko wapi? And I don’t have anything to give. It’s actually heartbreaking, it makes me feel like crying.

“And these are the messages I’ve been getting in my DMs every single day, almost 150 in a day, that’s the truth.

“Listen, I’m not here to offer any solution in terms of finances or money, but I just want to encourage anyone who’s going to watch this video, that they should know we are in this together.

“Don’t look at Betty and say, ah Betty looks like she has everything figured out, she has her money coming in. Things are thick, and they are thick for everyone including me,” she stated.

She also reiterated the need for positivity during the crisis, noting that, personally, she had found herself spending more time with her little sisters, making memories.

Acknowledging that it was difficult to find a silver lining amidst a pandemic, Betty noted that there were still a lot of simple things that people could be grateful for, such as the gift of family and friends.

“At least you’re awake, you’re not sick, at least there’s always something that you can say you know what, things are thick but at least I have my family here with me. At least I can hug my child,” she stated.

Kyallo’s video was met with an overwhelming response from Kenyans online who appreciated her timely message.

Thanking the Weekend With Betty host, some of them promised to put the advice into practice.

“That is the best message I have heard all day... God bless you and God bless us all,” wrote Jemmy Andrea in response.

“Such a powerful message. Why am I even crying, it's touching,” shared one Gloria Ben.

Watch the video below: