The Nakuru County Government has set aside Sh250 million food support programme kitty for families whose breadwinners have lost their employment due to the adverse economic effects posed by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the area.
Governor Lee Kinyanjui said more than 70,000 jobs had been lost so far in Naivasha Sub-County following closure of horticultural firms after exports of flowers, fruits and vegetables were halted and international flights suspended in the wake of the pandemic.
The County Disaster Management Committee has expressed concern that a further 50,000 people in Njoro, Subukia and Rongai Sub-Counties who directly depended on export of cut flowers and agricultural produce had lost their source of incomes.
The Governor also revealed that over 4,000 employees working in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector in Nakuru had been laid off following the closure of hotels and restricted travel regulations by key countries where tourist originate from.
Kinyanjui said it was impossible to enforce Ministry of Health’s regulations and the curfew that were intended to curb spread of the virus if a section of the public did not have access to proper food and nutrition.
The disease which has now afflicted over half a million people and killed more than 24,000 worldwide is exposing medical staff, infected individuals, suspected persons and their families to anxiety, depression and stress.
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