Africa-Press – Kenya. Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has issued a warning to Nairobians who are travelling upcountry during the Christmas festivities.
Kagwe stated that the frequent movement to upcountry would lead to a spike in coronavirus cases, baring in mind that Nairobi has been recording high numbers.
“Don’t take the virus from Nairobi to upcountry where our elderly parents are, we can enjoy the holidays where we are and ensure that we don’t spread the disease further,” Kagwe stated.
Further, he warned Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators against ferrying more passengers than is required with an aim of making more profit over the festive period.
“Some drivers and touts may be guided by their greed and opt to ferry more passengers; we will not allow this as it will worsen the pandemic,” he added.
Kagwe highlighted that he was working with the Ministry of Transport and the Inspector General of Police and cautioned that operators found breaking the rules will have their vehicles impounded.
He said that impounded vehicles would only be released in January, after the Christmas and New Year Holidays.
“Some matatu operators have forgotten to sanitize their passengers; drivers and other members of the crew. Most of the time they forget to put on face masks. This may get us back where we have come from in terms of Covid-19.
“It is my appeal as people celebrate Christmas and New Year, they should not abandon protocols given by the ministry of health to help contain the spread of Covid-19,” he stated.
Kagwe’s sentiments came at a time when many Kenyans are moving upcountry in there thousands.
A section of Kenyans had anticipated that the country would be on lockdown ahead of the festivities.
“I would rather be locked down in my home county rather than Nairobi. Life is expensive in the city and most of us lost our jobs,” a passenger told Kenyans.co.ke.
