ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna Tells Gov't to Use BBI Funds to Buy COVID-19 Vaccines

ODM party secretary-general Edwin Sifuna has faulted the government after imposing tougher measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Last week, President Kenyatta declared a cessation of movement into and out of five disease-affected counties, including Nairobi, Nakuru, Machakos, Kiambu, and Kajiado.

He also ordered the closure of bars while hotels and restaurants were directed to only offer take-away services.

In an interview on Tuesday, Sifuna said the government should also have put in place measures to cushion Kenyans whose livelihoods will be affected by the new lockdown rules.

He further indicated that the government ought to use all resources available to conduct mass testing and vaccination of Kenyans against the virus.

Sifuna added that any funds set aside for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) constitutional amendment push should be used to buy COVID-19 vaccines.

“Kenyans are tired of consultations and stories, even if we do not have our own original ideas, copy what others are doing in the world. There is no money spent on BBI, but if there is a single shilling that was going into BBI we can use it to buy vaccines,” he said.

Sifuna’s sentiments echo those of Nark-Kenya party leader Martha Karua, who on Monday urged the government to invest heavily in the health sector and buy COVID-19 vaccines in bulk to arrest the current situation.