Even with the number of coronavirus victims in Kenya soaring by the day, residents of Nairobi’s Kangemi estate have not seen the need to observe precautionary measures put in place by the government to prevent the virus from spreading.
A spot-check by KNA on Tuesday evening found vendors selling ready-to-eat foodstuffs under very unhygienic conditions oblivious of the dangers they posed to the public, including themselves.
Among the delicacies that they sold just beside filthy and stinking sewers as they fought swarms of obstinate flies were ready fish, mitura (African sausage) and offal (internal organs of an animal) stuffed into huge meatballs as well as mandazis.
Others were omena and fruits including uncovered sliced watermelon both of which had contacts with flies.
Most appalling was that in all these makeshift ready food and fruit outlets, there were no hand sanitizers or soap and water as has been directed by the ministry of health.
Worse still, KNA did not see any public health or police officer patrolling the area to enforce government’s directive while the one metre social distance seemed meaningless to residents who mingled freely.
“I urge Health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe and his team to move with speed and prevent this virus from spreading to this estate and others where dwellers seem unbothered by Covid- 19,” appealed Francis Maina, a resident.
On Sunday, Kagwe emphasized on the need to observe high standards of hygiene and maintaining one-metre social distance to curb the spread of the virus which has so far affected 25 Kenyans.
Kagwe, while announcing the sad news that eight more people had tested positive to Coronavirus that day said restaurants will remain open but only offer takeaway food services and closed all bars until further notice effective Sunday midnight.
“Kenyans must treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves. If we continue to behave normally, this disease will treat us abnormally,” he stressed.
The Interior and National Coordination Principal Secretary (PS), Karanja Kibicho who accompanied him said national administration officers had been directed to enforce the rules.
By Kamiri Munyaka
