Counties put smiles on faces of the poor
Counties have started donating food, clothes and other items to the poor ahead of Christmas.
Beneficiaries include street children, the elderly, people living with disabilities, hawkers and poor families. In Nakuru, the county issued vouchers worth Sh100, 000 to the elderly, hawkers and newspaper vendors. It also donated foodstuff such as cooking oil and maize flour, as well as bar soaps and assorted snacks to street families.
Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the donations would enable poor families to take part in the festivities without feeling left out.
In Kajiado, the county government yesterday launched a Christmas aid programme targeting 10,000 poor families in small towns and rural areas.
Some 2,000 families were each given food hampers worth Sh1,000 in Kajiado North. Other areas that benefited are Kware and Ole Kasasi in Nkaimurunya and Ongata Rongai wards as well as Kangawa in Oloolua Ward and Matasia in Olkeri Ward. Governor Joseph ole Lenku supervised the distribution of the food hampers in Kitengela, Oloosirkon Sholinke and Isinya in Kaputie North Ward.
In Nyandarua, the county government through donated foodstuff and other gifts to over 4, 000 needy families.
Youth and Social Services Executive Ann Gathigia said the families were identified after two months of vetting.
She said the figure is in addition to thousands of other families who were given gas cylinders, blankets, and other items.
“Distribution of the gifts will be done by selected staff to ensure 100 percent coverage by Christmas Day,” said Ms Gathigia.
In Laikipia, the county government announced plans to slaughter 804 cows and distribute the meat to starving families who had been ravaged by ethnic conflict, drought and locusts.
The animals were acquired from local herders under the emergency off-take exercise. Beneficiaries praised the counties for being thoughtful.
“We appreciate the positive gesture by the county government. More people are hungry, we need more food,” said Ms Jane Wambua, a Kitengela resident.
In the same spirit of giving, President Uhuru Kenyatta hosted hundreds of children without families at State House as part of this year’s President’s Children Christmas Party.
The event held on Sunday saw orphaned children from different charitable organisations spend the whole day in the most important office in the land.
Among the lucky children hosted by the Head of State were more than 200 children under the Child Welfare Society of Kenya (CWSK), where he is the patron.
The children were left free to enjoy the day as they saw fit, engaging in various fun activities ranging from bouncing castles, chess games, bike rides, skating, dancing and singing.
The organisation’s chief executive officer Irene Mureithi said the children and staff spent the day they described as “a day to remember”. BY DAILY NATION
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