March 18, 2024

Activist’s Want County Government to Initiate COVID-19 Relief Fund

Dream Achievers Youth Organisation Executive director Seif Jira at a past function. Image; (Courtesy)

 By PETER KOMBE

Email: thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

A section of activists in Mombasa County have called on the county government to set aside a special kitty in a bid to address the rapid unemployment amongst the youths as the nation battles with COVID19 pandemic.

The human rights defenders argue that the kitty once set aside youths will solve some of the critical issues they face during this COVID-19 period.

Speaking to the media in Mombasa on Friday Dream Achievers Youth Organisation executive director Seif Jira pointed that the impact of the pandemic cannot be overemphasised.

“There is need for the county government to allocate a special fund that will cater for the needs of the youths,” he noted.

He further called on a collaborative approach amongst various stakeholders in the war against the virus.

“This war against corona virus requires a multifaceted approach, it is high time that we work together as stakeholders,” he said.

Seif also added that the organisation plans to engage the media in Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi counties to help document issues affecting young people health including sexual reproductive health and rights.

Meanwhile, Mombasa youth leader Ibrahim Jey speaking in a different function expressed concern over the upsurge of COVID19 cases within the county.

He urged the county government to devise a new way to combat the spread of the pandemic.

“It is sad to note that Mombasa County has been hitting the record as far as corona virus is concerned. People believe when they see,” said the youth leader.

According to him, there is need for the government to share video clips depicting the impact of the pandemic claiming that still some people do not believe the existence of the deadly disease.

At the same time, Coast Region Student’s Association Secretary General Edwin Shamir pointed that the Covid 19 has led to rapid unemployment amongst the youths.

He asked both the national and the county government to concentrate the distribution of relief food to the less fortunate with focus in slum areas, such as Kalahari, Bagladesh and Moroto.

The activists want the government to distribute food supplies in slum areas citing economic hardship. Image: (Courtesy)

“We want to see the government do something in slum areas. This is where the real pinch of the malady is felt,” insisted the youth.

Shamir further accused county askaris on claims of harassing hawkers in various parts of the county.

He urged Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho to open an alternative market where traders will be free to conduct their businesses.

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