Why Gachagua Is Asking You To Contribute Part Of Your Salary

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is appealing to Kenyans to contribute a percentage of their monthly salaries.

The DP spoke on Friday, November 25, during the launch of the National Steering Committee on drought response.

He asked Kenyans to contribute the percentage through a pay bill number to a government kitty to help their fellow countrypeople affected by the drought situation in the country.

He gave an example of how soldiers from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have offered to turn down their day's salary and instead contribute it to the kitty.

“We appeal to Kenyans of goodwill to contribute a percentage of their salaries to a pay bill number that will be established soon. Already, our men and women in the Kenya Defense Forces have offered to forego one day’s salary to contribute to the response kitty,” Gachagua stated.

The DP further urged Kenyans in food-surplus counties to make their contributions through the offices of governors and respective county commissioners, who will work with the steering committee.

He then issued a stern warning against cartels and conmen and promised the people of Kenya that the government will not allow them to con Kenyans.

"Taking advantage of the drought situation to con people money when people are hungry and dying is ungodly and unacceptable," Gachagua condemned.

He further noted that other initiatives were in place to help fund relief food distribution in drought-stricken areas. The government, he disclosed, expected Ksh57.5 billion ($472 million) in funding to help the over 4.3 million Kenyans affected by drought.

He jokingly asked media practitioners to contribute what they had on them as they would be sorted later.

The National Steering Committee was established by President William Ruto and consists of 15 members, most of them company Chief Executive Officers (CEO).

Safaricom CEO, Peter Ndegwa, will chair the committee consisting of members drawn from the private sector.

Other members include James Mwangi (CEO of Equity Bank), Nasim Devji (CEO of Diamond Trust Bank), Shumaz Savani (CEO of ABC Bank) and Paul Rushdie Russo (CEO of KCB). Rebecca Mbithi (CEO of Family Bank), Jane Karuku (CEO of EABL), Joshua Chepkwony (CEO of Jamii Telcom) and Crispin Acholla (CEO of British American Tobacco) were also included.