The UK has announced direct financial support of £1 million(KES 144 million) UK aid to help cushion 10,000vulnerable people and families living in informal settlements in Mombasa from the negative economic impacts of COVID-19.
During a visit to Mombasa, where she held talks with County Governor Hassan Joho, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, announced the support for some of the families worst affected by the pandemic.
Channelled through mobile cash transfers directly to individuals and families, it will help with their most pressing needs–such as paying rent, purchasing food or other basic items.
The High Commissioner visited the Tudor Muoroto informal settlement to see first-hand the potential beneficiaries of the cash transfer programme, along with meetings with coastal governors, and young entrepreneurs, to hear about the UK and Kenya’s thriving partnership on tech and innovation.
This announcement is part of the UK’s support to 50,000 people living in informal settlements in in the two major cities of Kenya (Mombasa and Nairobi).
“The coronavirus pandemic is global, we are all in this together. Across the world, there is a significant impact on people’s jobs and livelihoods. The UK and Kenya are working together to support companies, jobs and families who need help during this difficult time.” Said Marriot
Adding “ This support will also stimulate the wider local economy as most of the basic items are supplied by small business owners living within their communities.”
On his part Joho noted “This means alot to the people of Mombasa and the country at large. The devastation occasioned on the world economy by the COVID-19 pandemic, can amongst many other things be mitigated through initiatives meant to resuscitate the economies at the grassroots.”
The High Commissioner’s visit to Mombasa highlighted UK support to the coastal region, including tackling COVID-19, countering terrorism and violent extremism, helping modernise the port of Mombasa, as well as supporting resilient urban development in coastal Kenya.
