– President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a voluntary reduction of salaries for senior state officers owing to unprecedented economic times resulting from the coronavirus pandemic
– The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) set the stage for borrowers to access cheaper loans after it lowered the Central Bank Rate (CBR) lending rate from 8.25% to 7.25%
– Uhuru also formed the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund Board which had collected nearly KSh 1 billion by mid April towards fighting the virus
The Kenyan government has supported Kenyans in many ways since the first case of coronavirus was confirmed on Friday, March 13.
From senior executive officials taking pay cuts to the Central Bank lowering lending rate and Kitui county manufacturing and donating personal protective equipment (PPEs’) , the state has somehow managed to reduce faster spread of COVID-19.
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TUKO.co.ke lists a few actions both the national and county governments took towards fighting the highly contagious disease.
1. President, DP, CSs, CAS’ and PSs pay cut
President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a voluntary reduction of salaries for senior state officers owing to unprecedented economic times resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
As a result, Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto took a 80% pay cut each while Cabinet Secretaries and Chief Administrative Secretaries (CASs) had their pay deducted by 30% with Principal Secretaries foregoing 20% with the funds being channeled to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund Board.
2. CBK lowered lending rate to 7.25%
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) set the stage for borrowers to access cheaper loans after it lowered the Central Bank Rate (CBR) lending rate from 8.25% to 7.25%.
The decision by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) was aimed at easing access to credit and stimulating the economy following the COVID-19 crisis slowed operations.
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3. Cash transfer programmes for the vulnerable
Uhuru announced on Thursday, April 16, that the government had initiated an elaborate plan to pay vulnerable families a weekly stipend of KSh 2000 to help them cope up with prevailing tough times.
4. Good relations with billionaires who donated masks, testing kits
Chinese billionaire Jack Ma donated 20,000 test kits, 100,000 masks to Kenya, the government received 18,000 kits on Wednesday, April 15.
In Kenya Devki Mills chairman Narendra Raval donated oxygen worth KSh 100 million to government hospitals.
5. Kitui county donated PPEs to KNH
Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) received samples of locally made personal protective equipment (PPEs) for use by medics in handling coronavirus patients.
The equipment was presented by Governor Charity Ngilu to the hospital’s chief executive officer Evanson Kamuri in presence of Kenya Medical Supply Authority CEO Jonah Manjari.
6. Formation of COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund Board
President Uhuru Kenyatta directed the National Treasury to set up the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund .
The team led by EABL managing director Jane Karuku had managed to mobilise nearly KSh 1 billion to combat COVID-19 three weeks since it took oath of office.
7. Governor Joho donates masks to police officers masks to distribute to residents instead of arresting them
Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho gave police officers free face masks to distribute to county residents who would be found without one.
Joho’s move came after Inspector General of police (IG) Hillary Mutyambai directed his officers to start arresting individuals who would be found in public places without the protective gear.
8. Safaricom donations worth KSh 5.5 billion
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said the funding was part of programs the telco had initiated to cushion vulnerable Kenyans from prevailing tough economic times.
The telco which is partly owned by the state, had also donated thermal cameras worth KSh 10 million to the Ministry of Health which were installed at border points.
The giant telecommunications company said all the initiatives it had launched to support the government in the war against coronavirus were valued at KSh 5.5 billion.
9. National Assembly, Senate Speakers pay cut
Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka and his National Assembly colleague Justin Muturi agreed to take a 30 % pay cut for three months due to the COVID-19 situation in Kenya.
10. Co-oop Bank donated KSh 100 million to fight COVID-19
Co-operative Bank of Kenya was the first corporate institution to donate KSh 100 million to the country’s coronavirus management kitty after government’s plea to companies.
The lender said the contribution was expected to support the sourcing of critical life-saving medical supplies and equipment especially ventilators.
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