The National government and Kisumu County officials on Monday embarked on crackdown against those violating tough measures that have been spelt out to contain the spread of Covid-19.
This is after tough talking Kisumu County Commissioner (CC), Susan Waweru and Kisumu Governor, Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o raised concern that a number of residents have failed to heed directives issued by the government, hence the need to forcibly enforce the regulations.
“We are starting right away to decongest the Kisumu bus station and Kibuye open air market and I can assure you it will not be business as usual,” warned Waweru.
Subsequently, the CC directed residents to start going home by 2.00pm or risk arrest, saying each individual must take a personal responsibility to help contain the pandemic.
Waweru said a number of foreigners without valid travelling documents have also been nabbed, as the government moves to enforce unnecessary travels.
She said a multi-agency team involving the department of Immigration, Public health officials and other relevant arms of government were on high alert so that even those Kenyans travelling back into the country are quarantined for 14 days.
In tough measures read by the Governor Nyong’o, following a meeting of the Multi-Agency Committee, all funeral homes and mortuaries, both public and private have been closed with immediate effect.
“Hospitals mortuaries will only be used to keep bodies of inpatient cases, but strictly for less than 48 hours in order to allow for families to make burial arrangements,” he said.
“All burials will strictly be for family members who must not exceed 15,” he added.
He said as earlier directed by the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Mutahi Kagwe all social gatherings, including places of worship remain banned, while matatu operators were warned to adhere to the new number of passengers to carry or face stern action.
Prof. Nyong’o said anybody who disobeys the orders will be arrested and charged in court of law under the Public Health Act.
Meanwhile, the Isiolo County Emergency Response committee today banned Miraa trade in the area to prevent COVID 19 from spreading.
The team warned that there should be no trading in the stimulant twigs. Majority of residents chew miraa and there are many traders selling it to meet the huge demand.
“From today the team has imposed miraa selling and transportation ban in the county,” said Isiolo County Commissioner (CC), Herman Shambi who co-chairs the committee with the area governor, Dr. Mohamed Kuti.
The team further ordered closure of worship places, including mosques and churches and prohibited all social gatherings among them weddings and fundraisings as directed by the national government.
The area Chief Executive officer for Health, Wario Galma said that public health officers have been sent to Merti and Garbatulla sub-counties to sensitize locals on the pandemic and hygiene measures they should take.
Galma urged residents to be patriotic and avoid spreading false information about the virus.
By KNA TEAM
