Kenyans in Diaspora Seek to Raise Sh200 Million to Complement Gov’t Response to Covid-19

Kenyans in the diaspora have begun mobilizing resources to complement the government’s efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Diaspora Covid-19 Taskforce (DCTF) will coordinate the campaign that also aims at raising funds to cushion Kenyans affected by the pandemic, both at home and abroad.

Members of the taskforce are drawn from various groups including Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA), Diaspora Institute, and the Diaspora Health Task Team (DHTT). 

DCTF, chaired by New York-based Rosemary Musomba, was constituted in March this year to directly manage diaspora’s Covid-19 responses. Its work involves mobilizing funds and expertise, as well as participating in informative discussions. 

“Since the formation of the Taskforce, a number of COVID-19 interventions have been put in place. Notably, boosting of the tertiary health facility in Wajir country with the first-ever 2-bed ICU capacity in partnership with the World Bank,'' the taskforce said in a statement on Friday. 

It is also facilitating the production of more than 10,000 masks per day in eight counties in Kenya. Further, the taskforce partnered with the University of Nairobi Virology Department and KAVI to carry out initial clinical Covid-19 treatment trials. 

It also lobbied the government to facilitate the repatriation of Kenyans stuck in different countries in the wake of the global outbreak of Covid-19.

The taskforce is targeting to raise $2 million (over Sh200 million) to support at least 10 counties in phase one over the next three to six months. 

“We have noted the critical importance, difference, and impact of our intervention in health and general socio-economic standing of the beneficiaries within and out of the country," said KDA chairman Shem Ochuodho.

"To be able to accomplish what we have set out to do, we are seeking partnership, collaboration, cooperation with our partners, and other volunteers.”