Thousands of Kenyans who are hoarding Bonga points valued at 4 billion shillings have been requested to donate them to feed the starving Kenyans in some areas experiencing drought.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa made the appeal on November 25 when the government National Steering Committee on Drought Response that will, among other roles, establish a private sector-led National Drought Mitigation Appeal Fund.
Mr Ndegwa who is the chairman of the Committee said Kenyans are walking around with Bonga points valued at Sh4 billion than can be converted to feed the starving citizens.
The request comes days after reports that unredeemed Bonga points will expire sometimes in 2023.
At the same time the government has urged Kenyans to contribute a certain percentage of their salaries to assist people who are starving in drought stricken Counties.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed that already, men and women in the Kenya Defence Forces have offered to forego a day’s salary as part of the kitty.
“This team’s efforts will, therefore, be only as good as our willingness to lend a helping hand. Now, more than ever, we need to rekindle our spirit of Harambee and be our brother’s and sister’s keepers,” Deputy President stated.
The contribution by Kenyans, he said will be channeled to a paybill number which the Committee will publish as soon as possible.
He said an estimated 6.4 million people are projected to require humanitarian assistance across the country.
At the same time Kenyans in food-surplus counties have been urged to make their contributions through the office of the governors and the county commissioners.
The food will be transferred to the Kenyans suffering in the 23 ASALs and pockets of 9 other counties coordinated by the governors and county commissioners in collaboration with will work with the task force.
“We ask governors in the adversely affected areas to prioritize saving lives and livelihoods through diversion of development money to these initiatives,” the Deputy President stated
