| Kisumu County Assembly budget chairman Steve Owiti has asked the executive to tell Kisumu people how the Sh. 200 million that was allocated for COVID-19 has been used. Owiti says the county also received Sh. 190 million from the national government towards the fight against the pandemic. He says there is mental stress occasioned by Corona virus and it is important to track how the funds have been used for the benefit of the people.Owiti who is the Kolwa East MCA says it is prudent to use part of the funds to reach out to people who are depressed due to COVID-19. Many people have lost jobs, businesses going into depressing with Owiti telling the county to come out and help its people.Speaking during Kisumu County mental health stakeholders’ forum organized by Tinada Youth Organization, a non state actor, Owiti says that as an Assembly they will strive to ensure mental help is funded. He says the budget cycle is on and he will ensure some of the challenges that were highlighted during the forum are addressed through proper funding. TINADA programs coordinator Mike Wanjengu says mental health has been neglected by the county government. Wanjengu says human resource in the sector is wanting with no proper doctors to respond to the high number of patients suffering from mental disorders. He says they will work closely with the County Assembly to ensure the challenges are addressed through legislative and funding in the budget.  |
