Residents of Vihiga County have been advised to maintain health guidelines currently in force as they welcomed back home friends and relatives hitherto held in Nairobi and other towns during lockdown period.
Area Governor Dr. Wilber Ottichilo made the appeal on Wednesday when he hosted Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.
“We urge our people to take extra precautionary measures even as they welcome and interact with their loved ones from the major towns, especially Nairobi and Mombasa that had been declared Covid-19 hotspots,” pleaded Ottichilo.
Ottichilo revealed that his administration was closely working with area National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) led by office County Commissioner to ensure the locals fully adhered to the health protocols in order to curb spread of the novel Covid-19 virus.
He said the Vihiga County Emergency Response Committee (VICEREC) would continue to mount more sensitization campaigns aimed at enlightening the locals on the unfolding developments in regards to the contagious virus that continued to claim lives globally.
Ottichilo, who co-chairs the VICEREC with County Commissioner Mr Ochillo Oyugi, said the awareness creation would be spearheaded by county administrators, chiefs, assistant chiefs, village elders and members of Nyumba Kumi clusters at the grassroots.
“A bigger percentage of our relatives and friends in towns like Nairobi and Mombasa are returning home due to economic hardships caused by the contagious Covid-19. Thus the urgent need to strengthen precautionary measures,” noted Ottichilo.
The county boss warned of dire consequences to individuals who would be caught for flouting the Ministry of Health regulations, which include maintain social distance while in public spaces, washing hands using soap and running water or sanitizing, wearing face masks and cough etiquette.
“As the national and county governments strive to contain the virus, my administration will not tolerate individuals that don’t want to comply with the Ministry of Health directives,” warned Ottichilo.
A spot check by Kenya News Agency (KNA) at County’s main towns, including Serem, Chavakali, Majengo, Mbale and Luanda established daily increasing number of incoming travelers since President Uhuru Kenyatta lifted the cessation of movement restrictions ten days ago.
By Maurice Aluda
