Kibra Faces Lockdown As COVID-19 Cases Rise In Double Digits

On the 19th of May 2020, Kibra reported 24 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, on 20th of May 2020, Kibra reported 15 new COVID-19 infections, on 21st May 2020, the same constituency reported 13 more cases catching the attention of the Ministry of Health.

“That is one area that we might be locking down,” said Amoth, the acting Health Director-General Health in the Ministry of Health.

Patrick Amoth, the acting Health Director-General expressed fears of deaths in the Kibra slum as the area also reports a high prevalence of HIV/Aids which is a pre-existing condition that minimizes the chances of survival in the scenario one gets infected with the COVID-19 virus.

“If they are taking their drugs as prescribed, then they will be able to achieve viral suppression, and therefore it will not be a risk factor. But if they are not, then there is a high likelihood that we will register more cases and deaths,” Patrick Amoth said.

Kibra was closely followed by Westlands constituency which reported nine COVID-19 cases with the Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe noting that it is also a case from Kibra that transported the virus to Siaya despite the Lockdown prohibiting movement outside Nairobi.

“Somebody in Kibra, without the authority to authorize anybody to travel, signed a document that allowed and was respected by police all the way from Kibra to Siaya,” said Health CS Mutahi Kagwe.

Even as Kenya struggles to flatten the curve on COVID-19 infections, areas such as Kawangware, Eastleigh, and OldTown continue to be a major hindrance to the success as they continue to report a spike in number of infections.