As the nation continues to take precautions against Coronavirus, business activities have slowed down in Chuka town, Tharaka Nithi County, even as sanitizers welcome both staff and clients to public offices.
At the county Huduma Centre, customers are subjected to a sanitizing sprayer at the reception, while some counters at the facility have been closed down due to sensitivity of the fingerprints contact with the requisite gadgets.
Speaking to the press on Monday, the Huduma Centre Manager, Muhammed Abdi said as a way of exercising caution they have already bought sanitizers that are being used by both staff and members of the public.
Abdi however, disclosed that the police clearance certificate (certificate of good conduct) counter has been closed after receiving orders from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations as it mostly involves contact in the hands.
“We received orders that the counter that gives clearance certificates which mostly involve fingers prints to be shut down until the right measures to protect our officers are taken, ” said the centre manager.
Meanwhile, litigants with pending cases at the Chuka law courts were in a state of confusion Monday, when they were told that their cases will only be handled after two weeks, following recent directive by the Chief Justice, David Maraga that temporarily suspended judicial proceedings countrywide due to coronavirus.
One Priscilla Njeri, whose ruling on her son’s case was to delivered yesterday expressed fears that the waiting might take much longer than expected, even after enduring a long wait for justice.
“My son has been in remand for two years and this would have been the final day to know his fate. But because of the so called Coronavirus, we will have to wait for some more two weeks. I hope when the court resumes they will finally ensure my son gets justice,” she said.
By Kenneth Marangu/Monicah Nyagah