Africa-Press – Kenya. Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Wednesday, June 16, hinted at a possible lockdown in some Western and Nyanza counties in a bid to curb the spread of the Covid-19 Indian variant.
Addressing Regional Commissioners and County Commissioners at the Kenya School of Government, Matiang’i announced that the government was on its last day in deciding measures in the area following numerous meetings held by the National Emergency Committee (NEC).
Specifically, he hinted at introducing measures that deal with containment of movement.
“The committee has been meeting regularly and by the end of today we will have a position and we will consult closely among ourselves and the president. A decision will be made on how we will enhance containment measures because it is now becoming absolutely necessary,” Matiang’i stated.
“It may lead to us introducing new measures that will deal with movement and social activities, all of which are intended to ensure that we manage the surge of the disease,” he added.
The cessation of movement order which involves locking down a specific area has in the past been issued against a number of counties whenever they had a surge in Covid-19 infections.
Counties that have in the past been lockdown include Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Kajiado, Kilifi, Kwale, Mandera, and Machakos.
The CS also hailed the security forces for their resilience and leadership since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country in March 2020.
“Managing the containment measures of Covid-19 has been a tough task and we all must accept that it is one of those that has challenged us greatly …”Of course we have been fairly battered but we have not,” he added.
Kisumu County has in recent times recorded high Covid-19 numbers.
Experts have previously warned that the epicentre of Covid-19 had shifted from Nairobi to the Lake Basin region, North Rift and Upper Eastern amidst fears of a fourth wave.
The security forces in the area have also been more vigilant to ensure that residents in the area follow the safety rules.
On Tuesday, more than 150 people were arrested and charged in Kisumu for failing to wear face masks, keep social distance and other violations of Covid-19 rules.
“The arrests followed an intensified crackdown on those breaking the rules in the last two weeks,” County police commander Samuel Anampiu stated.
