Over 4,500 elderly and disabled people receive Christmas gifts in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County, on December 25, 2024/FAITH MATETEMore than 4500 elderly and disabled people in Homa Bay County displayed their ecstasies after receiving Christmas gifts they received from humanitarian Kennedy Ongati.
The groups received 4kg of rice and 4kg of beans each to enable them to celebrate and enjoy Christmas with their families. They were also given at least Sh100 each.
He said most of the beneficiaries are grandmothers as well as widows who live with their grandchildren, and they are unable to afford adequate foodstuff for their dependents.
“The poverty index is continuously increasing, and we saw it wise to extend a helping hand to the vulnerable people. People who have benefitted are the elderly, widows and disabled,” Ongati said.
Speaking during distribution of the food items at their Kanyipir home in Kibiri ward, Karachuonyo constituency, Ongati urged elderly people who have attained 70 years to register with the national government to enable them to access financial support.
The Ministry of Gender &Social Services, through the Huduma Jamii programme pays elderly persons a monthly stipend of Sh2000.
The government initiated the programme to help in reducing dependency among the elderly persons in the country. The target group was drawn from all 40 wards across Homa Bay County.
“We’re doing this to spread love and happiness in the faces of our elderly and disabled persons. Let capacitated people help at their different levels for a better and inclusive society,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries, Mary Odek and Rosalina Owuor, expressed their happiness after receiving the foodstuffs, saying they were going to have a bite in the holidays.
Odek, who is 72 years old, said she is a widow and has 3 grandchildren who depend on her.
She said many of them are not going to get an adequate harvest this season due to floods destruction witnessed in the area because of heavy rains.
“Many of us here are unable to buy such foodstuffs at this time for Christmas celebrations. I must appreciate the young man Ongati for extending his helping hand for me and my grandchildren to enjoy Christmas this year,” Odek said.
John Omwasi (Suba South) and Maria Okello (Kabondo Kasipul) commended Ongati for showing good gestures to the vulnerable people in Homa Bay County.
“This group of people is now happy and going to enjoy Xmas. I challenge elected leaders to come up with policies that will reduce the escalating poverty index in Homa Bay,” Omwasi said.
