Kenyans on Twitter have rejected a plea by Red Cross to help raise funds to aid hundreds of fellow citizens who are dying of starvation in several counties.
The Kenya Red Cross had on Thursday launched an appeal seeking to raise Sh824,554,720 to assist hunger-stricken residents in Wajir, Tana River, West Pokot, Tharaka Nithi, Samburu, Nyeri, Marsabit, Laikipia, Mandera, Lamu, Kitui, Kilifi, Isiolo, Garissa, Embu, Baringo and Turkana counties.
Red Cross Secretary General Abbas Gullet said they will give preference to Tiaty in Baringo county, Loyangalani in Turkana county and Wajir regions which are the most affected by the famine and drought included.
However, on social media platforms, angry Kenyans said they will not donate to cover up government’s inability to shield its citizens from famine and drought bearing in mind the many corruption scandals and Deputy President William Ruto’s refusal to acknowledge the hunger crisis.
As reported by The Sauce, Kenyan singer Akothee recently put out a pay bill number on her social media in order to get contributions to feed the Kenyans in drought-stricken areas like Turkana. She managed to raise over a million shillings but some of her fellow celebs like P-Unit’s Gabu, Frasha and Willis Raburu were not having it as they urged their fans not to contribute.
In true Kenyan fashion, the hashtag #RedCrossTumechoka was the number one trend on Friday in the country with many chiming in on why they were not going to contribute to alleviate the situation and things that the government should do instead.
#RedCrossTumechoka kila mkenya anajiweza apewe mturkana mmoja tuwalishe hadi drought iishe, hii mambo ya pay bill hat it aki, we know you won’t use it on the affected people.
— Rachel Agunda🇰🇪 (@agundarachel) March 22, 2019
Until we (Kenyans) start getting the details of how money we give (including taxes) is spent, we'll not release anything. Besides, we don't have because it's already in your pockets.
President Uhuru Kenyatta #RedCrossTumechoka#GuardiansOfCorruption
— Oliver Kagwe 🇰🇪 (@okagwe_) March 22, 2019
I pay taxes, the government of Kenya has assured us that there is enough food in the country, then the Red Cross comes with a paybill…atamora omera. I refuse bwana. #RedCrossTumechoka
— Victor Ooko (@victorooko) March 22, 2019
GoK go there is plenty 9f food in the country the challenge is distribution. Redcross are good at food distribution. Then I suggest they do a colabo and feed those chaps #RedCrossTumechoka
— Simon Wathigo (@wathigolucy) March 22, 2019
Trust is earned. Kenyans should not be begging you for transparency. Publish the numbers then we start asking questions from where we see inconsistencies. #RedCrossTumechoka #GuardiansOfCorruption https://t.co/0AHGzYXTzR
— Killiad Sinide (@sinimsafiri) March 22, 2019
