By Okong’o Oduya
Six people have been quarantined in different locations in Busia County located in Western Kenya after they showed signs of the coronavirus disease.
Among the six suspected cases is a family of four who have been put under quarantine in Matayos Sub County while another put in Nambale and the sixth in Malaba.
According to Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong, the six are believed to have come from outside the country a few days ago and on arrival, they showed cases similar to that of the COVID19.
However, he said the county is yet to report any confirmed cases of corona within its borders.
Addressing the press in Busia Ojaamong warned business people in the county who fail to meet the health measure of availing clean running water and soap that they will be dealt with when they are found.
“We need soap and water, this narration we are getting from business people, claiming to have mixed soap or antiseptic in water we are not going to accept it. We need to see running water and soap not anything mixed with water,” he said
Governor Ojaamong further directed all mortuary attendants in Busia County not to admit bodies outside the County saying that after Kakamega County closed their mortuaries, people from Kakamega have opted to take their bodies to neighboring counties such as Busia, Bungoma, and Siaya.
“Kakamega did this early enough but people are now transporting bodies from Kakamega to Busia, Bungoma counties and the rest and as a county, we have also put measures we shall erect roadblocks to ensure that bodies from other counties do not come to our morgues,” he said
He ordered bereaved families not to allow the bodies of their loved ones to last more than 48hrs in mortuaries as measures to curb the corona menace.
“From today I am calling upon our mortuary attendants not to allow their bodies last I the mortuary for more than 48 hours,” he said.
He further said the county government in partnership with national government and other partners have bought, gloves, masks, sprayers, goggles among other types of equipment that are required to handle the pandemic by spraying all health facilities, and any other places that will be needed
Busia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said his office will make sure that all public vehicles operating within Busia County adhere to the national guidelines released by the ministry of health, such as fumigation, and sanitizer for the passengers.
He said the police officers in Busia will mount roadblock inspect those coming into the county and address any victims identified.
The commissioner urged people to minimize body contacts to anybody showing signs of corona infections.
He requested people of Busia to report any suspected cases to the relevant health care personnel for early screening and specimen collection urging people of Busia to seek medical services at any approved medical facility whenever they feel unhealthy.
He said trained personnel are on standby to respond to any suspected corona case in the county.
He called on people to remain indoors and parents to make sure their children are kept indoors to avoid them contracting the disease.
Kanyiri further wanted the community to report any suspected corona cases to the relevant authorities for action to be taken.
“I am calling upon chiefs and other local administration to arrest roaming children and take them back to their homes and if possible they will require a small beating, most of these children are roaming aimlessly,” he said
He warned business people from hiking prices of important commodities such as foodstuff and sanitizers.
Kanyiri applauded Kenyans for reporting any cases they suspect to be of corona among them saying that is the right move to combat the disease.
