Amid fears that Kenya is ill-prepared to deal with the possible outbreak of COVID-19 in the country, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has assured Kenyans that the global financial institution has already pledged financial assistance in the event the country finds itself in the thick.
Speaking during a meeting with Governors on Wednesday, CS Kagwe revealed fruitful discussions with World Bank Vice President for the African Region Hafez Ghanem who relayed commitment from the Washingon headquartered organization that it will release the funds immediately to help Kenya deal with the threat posed by the dreaded disease.
“We are glad that the World Bank has come to our aid and quickly too. The emergency response is going to be well funded. We pointed out our weak areas, where we have financing gaps and they assured us that we will not bump into administrative delays when we ask for the funds,” said Kagwe.
Kagwe revealed all of the 47 counties have already identified and set aside isolation areas in key hospitals and are expected to submit their budgetary estimates to the national government within the next two days to enable the national government plan.
“As it stands we are using our own resources. Treasury has released the funds to set up an emergency center at Mbagathi, our plan is not fully hinged on donors. On this one, we are depending on ourselves and then getting extra support from the World Bank, the United States and other donors as well,” said Kagwe.
Kagwe also dismissed speculation that the country is experiencing a shortage of protective gear meant for medical professionals.
“We are at the moment distributing the suits as required by global health bodies. We are protecting our health workers and we are going to make sure that nothing will happen to them,” said Kagwe ” As we speak the training of our medical professionals on how to use the gear is underway in Naivasha and Machakos,”
He also stated that the Mbagathi treatment wing will be ready by tomorrow after the Executive Order issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta last week.
The newly appointed Cabinet Secretary also issued a stern warning to Kenyans against spreading false information about the virus saying that culpable individuals will face jail time.
“It is a criminal offense to spread false information about the virus intentionally. It doesn’t matter if you are the original disseminator or a cog in the relay belt. Before passing on any information on social media it is imperative that you, first of all, ascertain that the information is correct,” he added.
