The National government through the Ministry of Interior has donated 9,000 face masks to be distributed to the residents of Makueni County to combat covid-19 pandemic.
Making the announcement on Thursday, the Makueni County Commissioner (CC), Maalim Mohammed said the 6,000 washable and 3,000 surgical masks will be distributed across the nine sub-counties in the region.
The CC who was speaking outside his Wote office, where he handed over the face masks to the Deputy County Commissioners who had come to the collect the protective equipment.
“I urge the Deputy County Commissioners to distribute the masks through the Sub-County Emergency Response Committees. Washable masks will be distributed to the residents and the surgical ones to medics only,” said Mohammed.
During the media briefing, the CC urged those charged with distributing the masks to ensure the most vulnerable benefit, saying the consignment was from National Youth Service (NYS).
In another development, Mohammed disclosed that they have so far arrested 300 people who appeared in public without wearing masks.
However, he said those arrested across the county were given a bond, awaiting to be charged in a court of law when things normalize after the fight against covid-19.
At the same time, the CC took issue with people who put masks in the pocket or below the chin and instead advised them to wear them properly the masks for their own good.
“What is the need of putting the mask on the shoulder or pocket? People should learn to obey government regulations. Such individuals are the ones reversing the gains the government has made in the fight against coronavirus in the county,” he said.
On those people who sneak from some counties like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale which are under partial lockdown, he said they will be repatriated to their counties of origin.
“Recently we had five people coming to Nguu Masumba from Kilifi, we repatriated them to their country of origin after a tip off from members of the public. We need to cooperate and work closely and avoid such incidences in a bid to combat covid-19 in the county,” said Mohammed.
By Patrick Nyakundi
