Mvurya pushes assembly to approve fund for relief food as Joho plans tough rules for businesses

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya has urged Ward Reps to put aside partisan politics and approve a Sh160 million supplementary budget to feed vulnerable families.

Yesterday, Mvurya said some members, including Speaker Sammy Ruwa, had questioned why the budget did not contain health items such as ventilators. The county boss asked the leaders to put 2022 politics aside and endorse the plan to assist the residents.

“We have forwarded a proposal to MCAs for a supplementary budget of Sh160 million to buy food for the vulnerable and I hope it will be passed although some members say it has not factored items on health. There is no reason why the supplementary budget should not be passed,” Mvurya said.

Emergency fund

Speaking in Diani, Mvurya said the county government had exhausted the Sh14 million emergency fund on food for those affected by the Covid-19 lockdown.

Mvurya said the county and the security team were on high alert over possible entry of people from the neighbouring Mombasa County and from Tanzania during the lockdown.

He said the security team has intensified patrols along the Kenya-Tanzania border at Lunga Lunga and that the Kenya Coast Guard Service had been invited to conduct surveillance at sea, especially around Shimoni area.

“Generally, we have strengthened surveillance in those area,” he said.

In quarantine

At the same time, the governor said the county has 15 Covid-19 patients at a centre within Msambweni Referral Hospital and 52 others in quarantine.

Meanwhile, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said the county emergency response committee on Covid-19 was crafting guidelines for business people once the lockdown is lifted by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Joho said a sub-committee had been tasked with the drafting of rules that will guide businesses including hotels and restaurants on how they will operate safely in the face of Covid-19.

“We are working on rules in anticipation of the opening up of the economy that business operators will sign and adhere to at all times to ensure people are safe,” he said.

Joho spoke yesterday when he received 50 bags of rice and assorted items from Seacom at his office.