The Number Of Covid-19 Isolation Beds Across Counties

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to speak on Monday, July 6, 2020, on the way forward as much as curfews and cessation of movements are concerned in line with the fight against Covid-19.

During his last address, President Uhuru Kenyatta said he would only be tempted to open up the economy as many Kenyans insist only if every county had at least 300 Covid-19 isolation beds.

As the Son of Jomo plans to address the nation, have the counties bought the 300 beds? How are the counties prepared in terms of having isolation beds as directed by the Head of State?

Nairobi, Mombasa, Kajiado, Kisii, Bungoma, Vihiga, Nakuru, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Makueni, Machakos, Kilifi, and Kwale are the only counties that have at least 300 isolation beds.

Nairobi has 628 beds, Mombasa 450, Kisii 300, Vihiga 300, Nakuru 300, Kericho 300, Uasin Gishu 312, Kiambu 325, Murang’a 305, Makueni 323, Machakos 430, Kilifi 306, Kwale 300, and Mombasa 450.

Lamu has 30, Taita Taveta 140, Marsabit 40, Isiolo 217, Meru 124, Embu 145, Kitui 34, Kirinyaga 14, West Pokot 298, Samburu 49, Trans-Nzoia 32, Elgeyo Marakwet 120, Nandi 40, Baringo 91, Laikipia 71, and Narok 30.

Bomet County has 100 beds, Kakamega County where the chair of Governors comes from has 220, Siaya that is constructing a “State House” worth 2 billion shillings only has 19 beds, while Kisumu has 148.

It is interesting that vocal counties such as Kirinyaga and Kitui have 14 and 34 beds only respectively. It is also a shame that Kisumu, where the governor defended the purchase of a 20-million-car has only 148 isolation beds.

Siaya County, even after President Uhuru Kenyatta used it as an example, they still have 19 beds only. Truth is, these people don’t care whether the constituents die or live, provided some remain to vote during an election.