Covid-19: Kenya gets additional $78m grant from EU

Head of the EU Delegation in Kenya, Ambassador Simon Mordue. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• The funding will go towards helping Kenyans at risk of hunger and further strengthen State measures against spread of the pandemic.
• So far, the European Union has contributed more than $350 million to the country’s Covid-19 response measures, with other EU member States having contributed a further $33 million forthe same.

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By SARAH NANJALA
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Kenya is set to benefit from an additional Ksh7.8-billion-shilling ($78 million) grant from the European Union (EU) that will go towards addressing the socio-economic impact of Covid-19 in the country.

The funding, which adds to an earlier Ksh8.4 billion ($84 million), will go towards helping Kenyans at risk of hunger and further strengthen State measures against spread of the pandemic.

While making the announcement in a statement sent to newsrooms, EU Ambassador to Kenya Simon Mordue said the funding indicates the EU's support to Kenya at a time when the virus has so far infected 2,862 people and killed another 85.

“The European Union stands with Kenya during this challenging period and we recognise the severe impact this crisis is having on people’s lives. Through these support programmes, we are making a real difference to local communities across the country as well as in Nairobi’s informal settlements who are most affected by the outbreak,” he said.

Ambassador Mordue further noted that the support programme was part of an overall 'Team Europe' response that has seen the EU and its member States working closely to support Kenya during the pandemic.

So far, the European Union has contributed more than Ksh35 billion ($350 million) to the country’s Covid-19 response measures, with other EU member States having contributed a further Ksh3.3 billion ($33 million) for the same.