Are Covid-19 emergency funds reaching the intended beneficiaries?

DPP Noordin Haji (R) deputy DPP Dorcas Odour (second right) and EACC boss Twalib Mbarak (second left) present a dummy cheque to National Treasury CS Ukur Yattani (L) at Treasury Building in Nairobi on April 7, 2020. [Edward Kiplimo,Standard]

Both national and county governments have worked to ensure emergency funds reach the intended.

We have seen the government identifying the most vulnerable in the society and mapping out those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Allocation of funds has also been done and supply of basic commodities to the vulnerable launched in various parts of the country. With the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund board in place and having promised to publicise contributions and expenditure regularly, I am sure that funds are being well utilised.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is also keeping an eye on things to ensure there is no misuse of public funds, and that not a single penny is lost.

In fact, this is the time Kenyans will experience proper use of their funds and see health centres upgraded and stocked with adequate medical supplies so that they are not caught flat-footed if the situation gets worse. Leaders also want to see the funds utilised to benefit the vulnerable since they do not want to be arrested and prosecuted for misusing the funds at some point.

Some are also aware that 2022 is coming and might want grab the chance to earn themselves votes. They will supervise the funds, ensure the most vulnerable get basic commodities such that when elections come, people will be praising them for handling Covid-19 crisis properly.

 

Mr Towett is the Chairperson Forest Indigenous Group and Ogiek elders