Deputy President William Ruto, on Thursday, June 11, welcomed European Union (EU) Ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue to his Karen office where he received a Ksh22.2 billion donation on behalf of the Kenyan government.
The two leaders went on to hold talks hinged on Kenya's response to the pandemic and the most effective ways in which they could partner to curb the spread of the virus in the country.
"Kenya appreciates the Ksh22.2 billion assistance extended by the EU in efforts to combat COVID19 disease, cushion the vulnerable and assist flood victims in different parts of the country.
"The support is a pointer of true partnership and nourishes further our cordial relationship," DP Ruto stated after the meeting.
"Thank you William Ruto for the opportunity to cover the full range of our relationship from the Covid-19 response and our development partnership to our economic and trade relations and the Kenya-EU strategic partnership," ambassador Mordue stated in response.
The EU had on the same day launched a nationwide safety net project to assist 80,000 Kenyan families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"What we are trying to do here is support the households with direct cash transfers. This gives families freedom to purchase what they need and allows them to do so with dignity," the ambassador added.
In partnership with the Kenya Red Cross, Concern Worldwide, Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED), Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT), Center for Rights Education and Awareness and Wangu Kanja Foundation, the EU launched the grand plan to aid in the distribution of the funds meant to bail out the families in informal settlements.
"The project targets 80,000 households in informal settlements with a monthly cash transfer of Ksh 5,000," the Kenya Red Cross Society revealed.
"Many households have lost income, cases of food insecurity, malnutrition & Gender-Based Violence (GBV) have been on the rise. Hardest hit are households in Kibra, Korogocho, Mathare, Soweto, Majengo, Gitare, Marigo, Gatina Lunga Lunga, Kayole & Mukuru areas which this program targets" the Kenya Red Cros Society Secretary-General, Dr Asha Mohammed further remarked.
Following the meeting with the EU ambassador, DP Ruto held a closed-door meeting with religious leaders from Kajiado County.
"The Government appreciates the friendship it enjoys with the church and is dedicated to working with inter-religious groups to install protocols to be observed before the re-opening of the places of worship.
"The church is a formidable promoter of social justice, prime booster of cohesion and a key social services provider in our country," DP Ruto disclosed.
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