Both County and national governments have been urged to aid the underprivileged in the society as the Corona pandemic continues to have a diversity effect on world economy, as thus rendering to hardship millions of lives around the world.
The pandemic has affected lives with a ruined economy, making families go hungry and governments struggling between retaining the economy but with sharp and radical health protocols to stop the spread of the pandemic which has claimed many lives.
In Mombasa county, a section of community leaders now say it is time for government to come up with good mechanisms to assist the disadvantaged in the society who are going through many challenges at the moment.
The leaders have attributed the economic strain amongst many families to the pandemic.
Addressing the media in Mombasa Lubna Muhdhar, a lobbyist said the virus has not only affected poor families but also wealthy families.
“Corona virus has affected a larger part of the Kenyan population and to tell the truth, even the rich have not been spared. The effects of this pandemic can be felt in every household, a message that much government intervention is needed,” he said,” said Ms Lubna.
She cited the disabled as some of the most affected communities.
Since the pandemic hit the country, she said that she has been receiving phone calls from all corners of Mombasa County, with many of them seeking assistance after losing their jobs and other sources of livelihoods.
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The Mama Beauty executive director urged the Mombasa county government to consider lowering medical charges at the Coast General hospital.
“The hospital bills at the Coast Province general hospital are too high despite being a public utility. I am asking the health department to consider lowering some of the charges because many patients cannot get proper medical services because they have no money,” she said.
She said patients at the hospital live in fear due to the high cost of medical bills.
“The hospital is no different from a private hospital. Leaders should come and assist patients with little or no income,” said
A resident, Asha Mohammed who hails from Old town ward lamented over a surge of juvenile gangs in the area urging parents to ensure that their children do not engage in criminal activities.
“I blame parents for this. Sometimes you may see young people carrying crude weapons in the streets within Old Town while their parents do not do anything about it,Ms Mohamed said.
She asked the national government to come up with an alternative way of assisting youths in Mombasa County following a surge of criminal related cases in the recent past.
“There is something that the government can do to help these youngsters. What is the root cause of them (youth) joining criminal gangs? Lubna quizzed.
The county has in the recent past witnessed a surge of criminal gangs that have been terrorizing locals especially in Kisauni Sub County.
