More than 4,500 elderly and disabled people receive Christmas gifts in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County, December 25, 2024/FAITH MATETE

More than 4,500 elderly and disabled people in Homa Bay County have expressed their ecstasy after receiving Christmas gifts from humanitarian Kennedy Ongati.

The groups each received 4 kg of rice and 4 kg of beans to enable them to celebrate and enjoy Christmas with their families. They also received at least 100 shillings each.

He explained that most of the beneficiaries are grandmothers as well as widows who live with their grandchildren and cannot afford to buy enough food for their dependents.

“The poverty index continues to rise and we thought it wise to reach out to vulnerable people. The people who benefited are the elderly, widows and the disabled,” Ongati said.

Speaking during the distribution of food items at their home in Kanyipir, Kibiri area of ​​Karachuonyo constituency, Ongati urged people aged above 70 years to register with the national government to enable them to access financial assistance.

The Ministry of Gender and Social Services, through the Huduma Jamii programme, pays the elderly a monthly allowance of 2,000 shillings.

The government launched this program to help reduce dependency among the country’s elderly. The target group consisted of all 40 wards in Homa Bay County.

“We do this to spread love and happiness on the faces of our elderly and disabled people. Let competent people contribute at their different levels for a better and inclusive society,” he said.

Some of the beneficiaries, Mary Odek and Rosalina Owuor, expressed joy after receiving the food items, saying they would have a bite to eat during the holidays.

Odek, 72, says she is a widow and has three grandchildren who depend on her.

She said many of them would not get an adequate harvest this season due to flooding that occurred in the area due to heavy rains.

“Many of us here are not able to purchase such foodstuffs at this time for Christmas celebrations. I must thank the young man Ongati for reaching out to ensure that me and my grandchildren enjoy Christmas this year,” Odek said.

John Omwasi (Suba South) and Maria Okello (Kabondo Kasipul) commended Ongati for showing good gestures to vulnerable people in Homa Bay County.

“This group of people is now happy and will enjoy Christmas. I challenge elected leaders to come up with policies that will reduce the growing poverty index in Homa Bay,” Omwasi said.