Coronavirus Fund Board reaches out to benefactors for contributions

Irene Githinji  @gitshee

The coronavirus Emergency Response Fund Board will primarily reach out to corporate entities, development partners and multinational institutions for their contributions.

Board chairperson, Jane Karuku said yesterday their priorities will be to support government’s efforts in the supply of medical facilities and equipment and support for vulnerable communities with their immediate needs, including food.

She made the appeal, acknowledging the challenging economic times that Kenyans are facing arising from the effects of Covid-19 pandemic.

Consultations

“The support and goodwill towards this initiative have so far been very encouraging.

The board has commenced its mandate and, following wide-ranging consultations with relevant stakeholders, the board has identified its immediate priorities,” said Karuku in a statement.

Kenyans wishing to donate are urged to send to Kenya Covid-19 account at Absa Bank, account number 2042554653 or M-Pesa Paybill 999000.

President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund Board last week with the mandate to mobilise resources for an emergency response towards containing the spread, effects and impact of coronavirus pandemic.

“The board will fulfil its mandate with utmost transparency and good corporate governance. 

The board will make public all contributions and expenditure regularly. 

For accountability, the board is working with professional services firms PwC Kenya, Deloitte Kenya and EY Kenya who are providing pro-bono assurance services,” she said.

A 10-member board committee is overseeing the fund, with President Uhuru saying it will foster national response to the pandemic, which has slowed down the economy across the world.

“The principal objective of the fund will be to mobilise resources for emergency response towards containing the spread, effects and impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” said the President.

Pay cut

He said initial allocation of the fund will come from monies senior Government officials, who have taken voluntary pay cuts towards supporting the fight for coronavirus.

The President said together with his deputy William Ruto, they will take an 80 per cent pay cut towards sharing the burden occasioned by coronavirus over the duration of the global crisis.