The Vihiga County Government has called upon the area business community to help in the fight against the spread of Corona Virus.
Speaking after a lengthy meeting with Kenya Chamber of Commerce representatives at the County headquarters on Monday, Governor Wilber Ottichilo said that business community had a big role to play in ensuring that the spread of the Virus is mitigated.
Ottichilo said that among the measures agreed upon will see boda boda operators carry one passenger at a time besides ensuring that they wear helmets while on transit.
The Governor said that the chamber will identify essential services within the county to be supported as he urged owners of business premises to ensure that hand washing points and sanitizers are provided.
Warning that businesses which will not adhere to the directives by the government will be closed, Governor Ottichilo added that the County government, through the department of health services will carry out more public awareness.
He explained that the awareness exercise will go a long way to help fight the spread of the Virus as it will ensure that the public is equipped with relevant knowledge.
Led by the Chairperson of the caucus Vihiga Chapter, Billy Nyonje the business community pledged to partner with the government by ensuring adherence to the directives which were issued by the Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe.
Nyonje said this will go a long way in helping stop the spread of the virus and eventually save many lives.
Meanwhile, the Tana River governor, Major (Rtd) Dadho Godhana has said Sh.100 million will be used to fight coronavirus in the county.
Speaking to the press in Hola town today, Godhana said some of the money will be used to build an isolation room at the Hola County Referral hospital and other isolation wings at Ngao and Bura hospitals.
The rooms will be well equipped in order to ensure that in case of a coronavirus victim, proper medication and care is provided at the County level.
He also called on all business people and food stuffs vendors to install kits so that their customers could wash their hands before gaining entrance to the shops and those who will fail to obey the measures provided will have their license cancelled on the spot.
On his part, the County Commissioner (CC), Oningoi ole Sosio called on the Matatu operators to stop increasing fares to avoid inconveniencing their passengers.
Sosio asked the matatu operators to carry only eight passengers instead of 14 passengers, warning that those who will fail to follow the new government regulations will have their license revoked.
By Isaiah Nayika/Simon Guruba
