Spare no effort to help the most desperate among us

The negative effects of Covid-19 are far-reaching. Besides disrupting our socio-economic order, the pandemic has had deep psychological and emotional impacts on many people.

Last Saturday, a mother of four who lost her job with an NGO in Naivasha killed her four children because she could no longer take care of them. There have been reports of a rise in domestic violence cases as a consequence of Covid-19 containment measures.

Companies unable to pay workers’ salaries continue to downsize or compel employees to take pay cuts. The resultant pressure to cope with limited or no financial resources has had its toll on many.

The Naivasha killings represent a desperate call to both levels of government to reach out to those hard hit and in need of financial assistance to see them through this difficult period.

In April, the government rolled out a programme through which 250,000 households were to receive a weekly stipend of Sh1,000 to see them through the coronavirus period.

In as much as that was welcome, there is need to expand the programme to bring on board more needy households.

The Naivasha case, public outcry and recent demands by some Mombasa residents that they be provided with food by the government are clear indications help is not getting to all those who desperately need it. There is every reason, therefore, for the government to overstretch itself to aid the needy.

But even as we urge the government to do more in helping the poor, the Kenyan spirit of togetherness in times of adversity should goad those who are able into assisting the needy.