This archive report was first published on 21 June 2021.
On June 1, a 53-year-old businessman from Kisumu tested positive for Covid-19 after attending Madaraka Day celebrations in Kisumu's Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium. He was immediately taken to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) isolation centre, where he received treatment and was discharged on Sunday.
However, upon his discharge, his family chose to take him to his Kombaka village in Homa Bay for home-based care, as advised by medics at JOOTRH. But their decision had far-reaching consequences, as their children were subsequently sent home from Kombaka Primary School due to Covid-19 fears.
"We were surprised that this morning his two children in lower primary school and eight others from the larger family were turned away by the headteacher at Kombaka Primary school because they have a Covid-19 patient in the family," said a close relative.
The school's headteacher, John Nyandiko, explained that the decision was made following concerns from parents who had learned of the businessman's Covid-19 status. He consulted with local chiefs and agreed that it would be detrimental to allow the children to interact with other pupils until public health officials gave further direction.
However, Kamagak North Chief Benson Nyandiko downplayed the stigma, stating that the decision was a temporary measure and that the children should be allowed back to school once they receive clearance from Public Health officials.
