Mombasa’s urban poor gets Sh144m upkeep cheque from UK

Mombasa Governor Ali Joho and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott

The United Kingdom on Tuesday announced direct financial support of Sh144 million to help cushion 10,000 vulnerable people and families living in informal settlements in Mombasa from the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.

During a visit to Mombasa, where she held talks with County Governor Hassan Joho, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, announced the support for some of the families worst affected by the pandemic.

Channeled through mobile cash transfers directly to individuals and families, it will help with their most pressing needs–such as paying rent, purchasing food, or other basic items.

The High Commissioner visited the Tudor Muoroto informal settlement to see first-hand the potential beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme, along with meetings with coastal governors, and young entrepreneurs, to hear about the UK and Kenya’s thriving partnership on tech and innovation.

The announcement is part of the UK’s support to 50,000 people living in informal settlements in Mombasa and Nairobi.

“The coronavirus pandemic is global: we are all in this together. Across the world, there is a significant impact on people’s jobs and livelihoods. The UK and Kenya are working together to support companies, jobs and families who need help during this difficult time,” Jane Marriott, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, said.

“In particular, the UK partnership will further help vulnerable communities in Mombasa access food and other basic supplies: cash enables families to buy what they urgently need. This support will also stimulate the wider local economy as most of the basic items are supplied by small business owners living within their communities."

“This means a lot to the people of Mombasa and the country at large. The devastation occasioned on the world economy by the COVID-19 pandemic, can amongst many other things be mitigated through initiatives meant to resuscitate the economies at the grassroots,” said Hassan Ali Joho, Governor, Mombasa County.