Rusinga professionals raise Sh1.5m to cushion locals against Covid-19

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo distributes relief food to vulnerable residents of Rusinga Island at Nyamuga Primary School on May 19, 2020. [James Omoro, Standard]

Residents of Rusinga Island in Suba North Constituency have started a fund-raising initiative to cushion over 3500 vulnerable families against the effects of Covid-19.

The initiative dubbed Dech Rusinga (Rusinga's granary) was formed by professionals from the Island in April to raise funds through a WhatsApp group for the vulnerable families.

The residents have bought food and none food items worth Sh1.5 million for the initiative.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo who is a resident of the island, initiative chairman Daniel Mboya and Lawyer Brian Weke launched the distribution of the items at Nyamuga Primary School on May 19.

The items included 217  bags of maize (50kg each), 25 bales of maize flour, 24 bags of rice, 8 bags of beans, 5 bags of dry omena (sardine),1 bag of sorghum, 210 litres of cooking oil, 300 litres of sanitiser, eight hand washing tanks and 1050 masks.

Millie said they started the initiative after many families lost their sources of livelihood due to the government’s restrictions to curb the spread of the disease.

The restrictions include the ban on the sale of none foodstuff introduced by Homa Bay County government.

Millie said residents had to devise ways of feeding the locals.

"We thought coronavirus would take a few weeks, but its persistence has left many families vulnerable," said the MP.

She said the relief aid will be distributed for three days.

Apart from her financial donation as a resident, Millie's office also supported the initiative with the 1050 masks.

"I call upon our people to continue with this spirit to help our people," Millie added.

Mboya said the items bought will buttress any help from the government, adding that depending solely on government could expose the vulnerable people.

"The initiative of helping vulnerable persons in society requires collective responsibility.  It also encourages the spirit of giving to improve the lives of our people," said Mboya.

Beneficiaries expressed optimism that the initiative will alleviate them from the adverse effects of coronavirus.

"I used to sell second-hand clothes in markets but my business has collapsed after Homa Bay county government banned the sale of non-food items. I have had no income for more than one month since the ban began," said Margaret Obaria, the beneficiary.

Apart from Rusinga Island ward, Millie said residents of the other four wards in her constituency were also starting a similar initiative.