The government has stepped up measures aimed at dealing with the threat of Covid-19 pandemic.
By yesterday, Kenya had recorded 81 cases. One person has already lost the battle with the virus, while two of the first victims have fully recovered.
The setting up of the Public Finance Management (Covid-19) Emergency Fund is welcome. Resources necessary to combat coronavirus - medicines, protective gear, quarantine facilities and test kits - come at a steep cost.
Besides purchasing these stores, the government acknowledges that the elderly and most vulnerable people, especially those living in urban informal settlements need help, both financial and food relief.
These citizens, most of whom live from hand to mouth, are most affected by closure of companies that offered them jobs on a day-to-day and on an-where-is basis.
The government's pledge to ensure a five-day supply of water a week to informal settlements should be followed through. Maintaining high standards of hygiene is impossible without water, yet this has been a perennial problem in informal settlements.
On its own, the national government will achieve little because of limited resources. Where the presidency took a pay cut, the Senate, in a selfless move that demonstrates its concern, has slashed Sh200 million from its budget to support the fight against Covid-19.
Some county governments have also demonstrated a willingness to join the fight against coronavirus by waiving levies to cushion low income earners. Earlier, Chinese tycoon Jack Ma donated face masks and kits to affected countries, a move that should have galvanised the affluent in society to show compassion by contributing to the fund.
In South Africa, business moguls have willingly given donations to a national kitty to fight Covid-19. Between them, the Rupert and Oppenheimer families have contributed Sh10 billion to South Africa’s Covid-19 fund.
Some companies in Kenya have donated food to the vulnerable. We need to see more of such magnanimity from those who are able. Not that the rich have an obligation to contribute, but because we need each other now more than ever before.
By drawing lessons from the adage that united we stand, divided we fall, Kenyans should stand together to combat the disease.
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