President Uhuru Kenyatta chaired the first meeting of the board that was created to marshal funds for combating the Coronavirus disease.
The team led by East African Breweries Managing Director Jane Karuku was put together by the President to rally Kenyans together in raising resources that will support Government efforts to mitigate the effects of the disease.
President Kenyatta chaired the meeting through video-conference where he assured the taskforce that comprises of private sector captains of industry and senior state officials of his full support.
“Thank you for agreeing to work together throughout this time as we seek to find solutions on how to cushion the vulnerable in our country as well as deal with the future,” the President said.
Ms Karuku assured the Head of State of her team's commitment to the task ahead of them saying they will work hard to deliver on their mandate.
“We will work closely to ensure that we achieve the mandate that this fund has been created for. We will pool our brains and resources to ensure every Kenyan is cushioned,” Ms Karuku said.
At the same time, the President thanked employers who have undertaken to ensure that no jobs are lost due to the disruption caused by the pandemic.
He applauded oil marketing companies led by the Kenya Pipeline Corporation for blending hand sanitisers for free distribution to vulnerable Kenyans.
The Head of State regretted incidents of violence reported on the first day of the dusk to dawn curfew and urged Kenyans to continue adhering to protocols issued by the Ministry of Health including voluntary isolation and social distancing.
The President said the Government will continue to proactively implement measures to curb the spread of the respiratory disease.
"As a Government will we continue to take measures. Keep in mind that these measures, we are taking, are to ensure every Kenyan is protected and is safe," the President said.
President Kenyatta also had an opportunity to talk with the first two Kenyan patients who have fully recovered from the COVID-19 disease, Brenda and Brian, through video-conferencing.
The President thanked Brenda, the first recovered patient, for presenting herself to hospital immediately she felt unwell and sharing information on all the contacts she had had since arriving in the country from the United States.
President Kenyatta said the story of Brenda and Brian shows that the disease can be treated and patients can fully recover.
“Your actions are to be emulated by every Kenyan. Come out and get tested as soon as you feel unwell. There is no stigma. Isolate yourself to ensure you do not put others in harm’s way,” the President urged Kenyans.
President Kenyatta applauded medical professionals across the country who are working extra hard to save lives as well as all state and non-state agencies involved in containing the spread of the virus.
Brenda and Brian, who were at the Ministry of Health Headquarters at Afya House in Nairobi told Kenyans to know that the disease is real and urged fellow citizens not to be hesitant to come out and seek help immediately they feel unwell.
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