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PHOTOS: Did Wetang’ula’s Brother Die of Covid-19? Questions Linger After His Burial

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Bungoma senator Moses Wetang’ula and Westlands MP Timothy Wanyonyi’s brother Tony Waswa was on Wednesday 20, 2020 laid to rest in their rural home in Sirisia Constituency, Bungoma County.

The late was however, accorded a Covid-19-like burial.

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Tony passed on while undergoing treatment at the Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi last Friday. Villagers and other residents of Sirisia have been forced to crane their necks over fence to catch the burial ceremony.

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At least five priests led the ceremony that lasted for less than an hour as the family observed coronavirus health guidelines, with officials from the Ministry of Health Handling the body from the moment it arrived by a helicopter, to the time of interment.

Away from the graveside where the men of God said prayers before his remains could be lowered, sat four staffs from the Health Ministry’s COVID-19 response team. The four donned overflowing white personal protective gears that only left faces uncovered.

Kenyans on social media are now questioning whether the late died of Covid-19, following the way he was buried.

Until his death, the late was an aide to Wanyonyi who has been an lawmaker at the National Assembly since 2013.

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Kenya Registers Highest Number of Covid-19 Cases in a Single Day, Tally Soars to 887

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has registered the highest number of Covid-19 positive cases in a single day.

The government in a statement issued on Sunday May 17, 2020 through government spokesperson Cyrus Oguna confirmed 57 new positive cases of coronavirus disease.

The cases were confirmed after a total of 2,198 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, raising total number of positive cases in the country to 887.

Of the 57, 34 were male while 23 were female.

“The youngest of the cases is a 2-year-old while the oldest is 61 years. Cumulatively, we have so far tested 43,712 samples,” the statement reads in part.

The distribution of the cases by counties is as follows: Mombasa (35), Nairobi (17), Kajiado (3), Kwale (1), and Kitui (1).

“We are happy to note that 12 patients have been discharged from hospital, bringing the total number of people who have so far recovered from Coronavirus to 313,” the press briefing signed by Oguna further reads.

Another 12 Tanzanian truck drivers tested positive at the border testing facilities over the last  24 hours, the latest report revealed.

11 of them were captured at the Lunga Lunga Border while 1 was identified at the Taveta Border, with the Ministry confirming that all 12 truckers were referred back to their home country.

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Covid-19: Uhuru Announces Tougher Measures, Closes Boarders With Tanzania, Somalia

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

President Uhuru Kenyatta Saturday May 16, 2020 announced tougher measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

The head of state in a press conference at State House, Nairobi announced closure of boarders with Tanzania and Somalia.

Only Cargo vehicles will be allowed in and out of the country through the closed boarders. President Kenyatta also announced cessation of movement of people in and out of Tanzania and Somalia.

This follows an increase in the number of Covid-19 positive cases from the samples tested at the boarders.

On May 13, Twenty-five truck drivers from Tanzania tested positive for Covid-19 at the Namanga border point.

President Kenyatta also extended the dusk to dawn curfew for another 21 days. The curfew will continue up to June 6, 2020.

The cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale and Mandera has also been extended up to June 6, 2020.

Kenya on Wednesday declared the border town with Tanzania as a high-risk area. Namanga is a town divided by the Tanzania-Kenya border. It is in Longido District, Tanzania and Kajiado County, Kenya. It is around 110 kilometers from Arusha, Tanzania.

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Eastleigh, Mombasa Old Town on Lockdown as Kenya’s Covid-19 Cases Soar to 582

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The government today ( Wednesday May 4) has issued a directive to lockdown areas of Eastleigh in Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa.

The directive follows the increase in number of the coronavirus desease cases by an additional 47 bringing the total infections in the country to 582.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has ordered effective today, the closure of Eastleigh and Old Town markets in Nairobi and Mombasa counties respectively.

Kenya has recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases confirmed in a single day, with the majority, 33, from Mombasa County.

CS Kagwe also ordered cessation of movement and closure of all eateries in Mombasa’s Old Town where the residents will undergo forced testing as earlier announced by Interior CS Fred Matiangi.

Further, Mutahi said that effective Wednesday, May 6, the national government will bear the cost of targeted testing and quarantine facilities.

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3 More Kenyan Truck Drivers Test Positive For Covid-19 in Uganda

by Brian Miano
written by Brian Miano

The Ugandan Ministry of Health on Tuesday confirmed three more positive Coronavirus cases from among Kenyan truck drivers.

The three were found to have the infection after being tested in Uganda, bringing the country’s total number of cases to 97.

This comes after six other tested positive last week an repatriated back to the country for medical care.

The drivers had registered a complaint that they were being subjected to mandatory tests at the Malaba border point and being detained in Uganda for long periods of time.

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This brings the total number of Kenyan drivers who turned positive in Uganda to 17.

Up to date, a total of 37 truck drivers have tested positive, with 14 from Tanzania, four from Uganda, one from Burundi and the other one from Rwanda.

While responding to the concern, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe on Tuesday asked the truckers to ensure they are tested in Mombasa and given a certificate to present at Malaba to avoid inconveniences.

“That is the agreement we have with the Ugandan and Rwandan governments on this. If you are ferrying goods from Mombasa to Uganda then you must be tested in Mombasa so that you are certified to travel. If you avoid being tested in Mombasa then you will definitely be delayed at the border because they will have to test you on the Ugandan side,” he clarified.

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Eastleigh Most Hit as Kenya Registers Highest Number of Covid-19 Cases in a Single Day, Tally Hits 535

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has registered the highest number of Covid-19 cases in a single day.

On Tuesday May 5, the Ministry of Health confirmed 46 new cases of coronavirus disease, bringinging the total number of infections to 535.

Speaking during a press briefing on the Covid-19 situation in the country at Afya House, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said that the new infections are from 1077 Samples tested within the last 24 hours.

“Today our cumulative figure of those who have tested positive for the Covid-19 stands at 535 people. This is because out of the 1077 samples tested some 45 people have turned positive. This of course is the highest number recorded in 24 hours,” said CS Kagwe

Nairobi’s Eastleigh estate produced 29 of those new infections.

 Mombasa produced 11 of the new cases, whereas Wajir recorded five new coronavirus infections. The five Wajir cases had a recent history of travel to Mogadishu, Somalia, said the CS.

A Somali national was the other new carrier of the virus, said the minister. Thirty (30) of the new cases were registered among male carriers, whereas female patients were 15.

CS Kagwe also revealed that nine new recoveries were recorded, bringing Kenya’s total number of discharged patients to 182.

Eastleigh, Kawangware and Mombasa’s Old Town areas have been marked as COVID-19 hotspots with total cases of 63, 24 and 39 respectively.

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Nurses Expose The Cartel Controlling Ministry of Health, Threaten to Down Tools

by Pauline Waswa
written by Pauline Waswa

A crisis is looming in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic as 30,000 health workers threaten to down tools. They have issued a 14-day strike notice, threatening to go on strike come May 18, 2020.

According to the nurses,the Ministry of Health is controlled by a cartel of doctors who are responsible for the current mess in healthcare. 

They accuse the government of favoring doctors and failing to grant the other cadres proper risk allowance, promotion and employing them on contract. 

The workers who issued the 14-day strike notice in Nairobi on Monday May 4 include nurses, clinicial officers, laboratory staff and nutritionists.

Others are non-unionised staff under the Kenya Health Professionals Society  including mortuary staff. 

They belong to the Kenya National Union of Nurses, Kenya Union of Clinical Officers and the Kenya National Union of Laboratory Officers, Kenya National Union of Pharmaceutical Technologists, the Kenya Union of Nutritionists and Dietitians and the Kenya Health Professionals Society.

KUCO secretary general George Gibore said while doctors receive a minimum Sh20,000 risk allowance every month, other health workers receive nothing. Only nurses and clinicians get about Sh3,000.

Gibore said clinicians and nurses have the most contact with patients and therefore bear the greatest risk. 

He said 12 clinical officers have been infected with coronavirus at work while 147 are currently quarantined after being exposed to the virus. 

According to Mohamed Duba, chairman Kenya Union of Health Professionals, they have tried diplomatic means but have failed to get an audience with the government.

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Distribution of Kenya’s 25 New Covid-19 Cases as Per Estates, Tally at 490

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has recorded 25 new coronavirus cases, raising the total number to 490.

Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi on Monday May 4 said 15 of the new cases are from Nairobi, while 10 are from Mombasa.

Of the new cases, eight are from Eastleigh, two from Kawangware, 10 from Kariobangi South and two from Umoja.

“All the 25 are Kenyans and none has a history of travel,” she said adding that a total of 1,012 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.

The youngest new case is six months, while the oldest is 60 years. Thirteen are male, while 12 are female.

“We are working with different health experts when handling Covid-19 cases. For children who are positive we we are collaborating with pediatricians,” she said.

Mwangangi said the situation has not gone back to normal and told Kenyans to be responsible.

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Bungoma Registers First Covid-19 Cases as Kenya’s Numbers Soar to 465

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has confirmed a highest number of coronavirus cases in a single day.

Health Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Rashid Aman on Sunday May 3, 2020 while giving the daily Covid-19 briefing at Afya House confirmed 30 new cases.

The CAS said that the cases came from the mass Covid-19 testings that kicked off in Nairobi’s Kawangware area, Eastleigh area and Mombasa.

CAS Aman said that out of the 30 new Covid-19 cases recorded today, 19 are from Mombasa, eight from Nairobi, two from Bungoma and one from Kitui County.

Bungoma has now joined the 16 Counties that have so far registered Covid-19 cases. The new cases are truck drivers.

Two more Covid-19 patients have also died, bringing the total number of fatalities to 24.

However, CAS Aman announced 15 more recoveries.

The CAS further urged Kenyans in the targeted high risk areas to come out and show up for mass testing to help contain COVID-19.

He has said that the testing is free and Kenyans should take advantage of this since in other counties people are unable to be tested as much as they would like to.

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Kawangware Now a Hot Spot as Kenya’s Tally Soars to 435

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kawangware area, in Nairobi, is now becoming a Covid-19 hot spot.

Kenya on Saturday afternoon confirmed 24 new coronavirus cases, with seven of the cases coming from Kawangware.

Kawangware now has a total of 20 confirmed cases, with that latest seven coming from the community.

The new cases were confirmed after 1196 people were tested. Kuria West in Migori county has also registered two new cases. 10 of the new cases came from Eastleigh, with five from Mombasa. This brings a total number of confirmed cases in the Country to 435.

Health CAS Dr Mercy Mwangangi while giving daily Covid-19 briefings on Saturday May 2, at Afya House said that two patients had been discharged, bringing total number of recoveries to 152.

Mass testing for Covid-19 kicked off in Kawangware, Nairobi on Friday May 1, 2020.

The Ministry of Health said they had identified markets as one of the areas with high rates of transmission.Surveillance teams were deployed at different zones around Kawangware to allow for testing of several people.

The mass testing is also going on in Mombasa, which has also been identified as a hot spot. One more person in Mombasa is the latest death case that has been reported.

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Drama as Man Wearing ‘Gunia’ Moves to Hospital Demanding Release of Wife From Quarantine

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

An angry man from Ol Kalou in Nyandarua County on Saturday April 25 decided to wear a sack, and went outside the JM Kariuki Memorial County Referral Hospital to demand his wife be released after completing a 14-day quarantine.

The man identified as Joseph Mathenge said his wife is an agricultural products trader at Ol Kalou Market, and was placed under mandatory confinement at Nyandarua High School after she returned to Nyandarua from Sirare in Migori County, where she had gone to buy fresh farm produce, including sweet potatoes, to sell.

Mathenge says his spouse, Jane Njeri — a mother of two — has completed the set 14-day quarantine period, but health officers have refused to let her go home. Njeri’s COVID-19 status remains unclear.

“When she returned from Migori, she was directed to go to Ol Kalou Police Station. Upon arriving at the police post, she was told that she would be placed under forced isolation for 14 days,” said Mathenge.

“I want my wife released. She is supposed to be out [of the quarantine center] working. Mimi sibembelezi mtu anitolee bibi yangu. Sibembelezi, na sitabembeleza (I am not begging anyone to release my wife. I vow not to do that),” shouted Mathenge on Saturday, April 25 while standing outside the JM Kariuki Hospital.

“I have a right. I will pursue my right up to the last minute. My wife should be out to look after her children. Where is she now? You’ve turned my family into a broken one. The government is not quarantining people the right way. It is breaking families, which are institutions recognised by the same government. Without families, no government can stand,” he said.

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Covid-19: Nairobi Registers 11 New Cases, Mombasa 5 as Kenya’s Total Hits 336

by Gabriel Omolo
written by Gabriel Omolo

Kenya has confirmed16 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 336.

Eleven of the new cases were in Nairobi and the remaining five in Mombasa. All were picked from the community. The number of fatalities remains 14.

Five people have been discharged bringing the total number of recoveries to 96 people.

While giving daily briefings from Afya House on Friday afternoon, Health CAS Rashid Aman said that the new cases were confirmed afte testing 946 samples.

The samples were picked from across 12 counties.

“We have tested 946 samples across 12 counties and from this, 16 persons have tested positive for coronavirus. We now have 336 confirmed cases in the country. 11 from Nairobi and five from Mombasa. The number of fatalities remain 14,” he said.

CAS Aman further urged Kenyans and leaders not to disobey directives put by the government to contain the Covid-19 pandemic, citing that this is not the right time to pull back.

“Whereas we have registered significant gains, we have noted a degree of complacency slowly creeping back. We urge Kenyans and leaders not to disobey the orders. While we know that the courts serve an important function, this is not the time to pull back,” he said.

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Covid-19: US Records World’s Highest Number of Deaths Since The Pandemic’s Outbreak

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

The United States of America has recorded the world’s highest numbers of Covid-19 deaths since the outbreak of the pandemic.

The US coronavirus deaths hit another grim milestone on Friday topping 50,000, as the number of lives lost in April rises by an average of 2,000 a day.

This is according to the Worldometers website, which tracks the pandemic.

The Johns Hopkins website also showed the death toll inching closer to 50,000.

The total number of US cases hit 868,000 with many states yet to report early on Friday.

As per Friday April 24 morning, the worldometers website showed that the total number of Covid-19 cases in the world are at 2,725,972.

The world has so far recorded 191, 061 deaths, with 749, 516 recoveries.

The United States saw its first documented death from the novel coronavirus on February 29, 2020.

The day before that Feb. 29 death, US President Donald Trump claimed that it was Democrats who were “politicizing” the coronavirus and said it was “their new hoax” to criticize his administration’s response to it.

A week later, the president was touting poll numbers and saying, “Anybody that wants a test can get a test.” 

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Covid-19: Kakamega Health Workers Threaten to Strike, Cite Intimidation and Lack of PPEs

by Gabriel Omolo
written by Gabriel Omolo

Kakamega County Referral Hospital doctors have threatened to down their tools in a week’s time.

This, is if the County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya will not protect them from harassment and threats by top health officials.

The medics also cite unavailability of personal protective equipment (PPEs).

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists Union Western branch secretary Sande Charo accused Health executive Rachael Okumu and chief officer Beatrice Etemesi of harassment and intimidation.

In a memo addressed to the governor and signed by the doctors, they said the referral and sub-county hospitals are ill-equipped to handle Covid-19 cases. They said their efforts to raise the matter with the two health officials has been met with intimidation, demotions and transfers from the top county hospital.

The memo also details inadequacy of PPE.

Last week, Oparanya said Sh85 million would be spent on protective gear in the fight against Covid-19.

Also last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta allowed governors to purchase the kits outside the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency.

“We beseech your office to intervene in this horrid environment which is aimed at derailing the fight against Covid-19 and plunging the county and country into misery.

“If action is not taken, then we will have no option but to withdraw our labour until when these grievances are addressed without further notice,” the memo reads. 

The doctors said the working environment for those handling Covid-19 cases is deplorable.

“These officers are working 24 hours without the simplest things like breakfast and lunch. They are not protected at all in addition to the long working hours,” a union member said.  

Dr Charo said the link between the health officials and medics in the fight against Covid-19 was weak and that healthcare workers are at the risk of contracting the virus if they handle active cases. 

“It has come to our realisation that amidst the devotion and selflessness of our doctors in the fight against Covid-19, there lies an ugly hand of intimidation, threats and highhandedness by the two officials,” the letter reads.

Etemesi and Okumu declined to comment. However, Etemesi acknowledged the matters raised.  

KMPDU Western Branch chairman Antony Akoto said the county has also not trained healthcare workers on how to handle the virus. Those who have been trained are not even a third of the total number of medics, he said.

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PHOTOS: Governor Mutua Converts Machakos Stadium Into a Covid-19 Hospital

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Machakos County Governor Dr Alfred Mutua has converted Machakos Kenyatta Stadium into a Covid-19 Hospital.

The new health facility will now be used for housing temporary mass screening and treatment areas and will be able to isolate those who are found positive and treat them for mild and non-critical conditions.

According to Governor Mutua, the move was taken to free up Machakos Level 5 Hospital from being a treatment and an isolation centre at the same time.

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Mutua further notes that the move will protect other patients at Machakos Level 5 from being infected with Covid-19.

“This will protect other patients from being infected too. It is out of experience from other hospitals where bacteria and viruses have been spread to patients who are suffering from other conditions,” Mutua posted on his twitter account on Monday afternoon.

The Machakos stadium is in a wide open area, and Mutua notes that this will allow good flow of air and conditions that promote distancing and quality of life.

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Machakos Level 5 hospital is only 200 meters from the stadium and during treatment, any medications required or health workers required can be dispatched to the stadium within minutes by foot.

Governor Mutua says that the county now has 1000 isolation beds.

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In addition to the stadium, Governor Mutua notes that his government has also identified a 200 bed hospital which.

He says the hospital has been set aside for critical care of Covid-19, patients.

Mutua went ahead to note that the hospital will be opened when everything is ready and set-up.

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Kenya’s Covid-19 Cases Soar as CS Kagwe Confirms More Cases (Watch Video)

by Mustafa Juma
written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has confirmed 12 more COVID-19 cases, bringing total number of confirmed cases in the country to 246.

Health cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe while addressing the media from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Friday morning said that five of the new cases are hotel workers.

He said that another four people are from the contact tracing.

He said that at the time he was addressing the media, the government had already tested about 450 samples.

However, the numbers may go high, since the announced cases are from the samples that have already been tested so far. Testing of other samples is set to go on throughout the day.

CS Kagwe noted that they need to improve their testing capability so as to have the capacity to trace and test more samples from the contacts of people who have already tested positive.

As per Thursday April 16, Kenya had recorded 234 cases.

President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that some measures will be put in place to help contain the pandemic, adding that the government had identified needy families who will benefit from weekly stipend.

Kenyans have so far been urged to continue observing the directives that have been put by the government to help contain the COVID-19 disease.

Watch the video below:

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