The
government, both at national and county levels, has called for financial and
technical support from corporate and individual philanthropists to complement
its fight to COVID-19. True to the clarion call, many corporate and goodhearted
well-wishers, including some well-meaning politicians, have come forth and made
an appreciable donation.
These
bequests, if put into intended use, should be a vital step in bridging the
resource and other necessities, especially to the health care capacity as well
as vulnerable groups in society. The conspicuously missing are betting and
gaming entities that, in the past, have publicly declared their existence
pegged on charitable and associated initiatives.
Besides the
legal requirements, it behooves them to re-prioritize and re-channel their
charitable allocations to government and/or directly to the impoverished at
this critical phase since the advent of coronavirus.
A
structured response is also important in view of identified hotspot areas as
well as varying needs that pervade the infected and affected. A start would be
a proper mapping of the needs, fair and just identification of potential
beneficiaries to such a kitty.
Much as
there is already a Response Fund set up, the voice of the givers is needful in
the whole hog in the identification, prioritization of target recipients. The
players in the gaming industry and other public and private corporate nodding
the noble intervention would together come and agree on the priorities for
support and subsequent modalities and then would pool resources for a greater
and sustainable impact. This would achieve much-needed synergy and coordination
that is essential in navigating crises.
The aid
from varied quarters is much more than a contribution as is also an implicit
gesture of appreciating the front line officers that are usually on the risk
edge and have put their all in the fight.
Kenyans
have shown the spirit of togetherness and sympathy in the past national
calamities, for instance, as was the case of “Kenyan for Kenya’ course during
the drought plight. On the same wavelength, the call can be opened up to all
Kenyans where one and all would contribute to their abundance.