This archive report was first published on 23 June 2021.
Published on June 23, 2021, the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) has requested the government to permit them to import COVID-19 vaccines independently to contain the surge of infections in the region.
Chaired by LREB Chair, Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, the county bosses emphasized that vaccination is key in controlling further spread of the virus in the region, which has recorded 2,171 new cases over the last one week.
The governors noted that the three million jabs procured by the Ministry of Health are insufficient to accelerate vaccination across the country.
According to Governor Oparanya, it is imperative that they be allowed to import the vaccines to augment efforts by the national government.
During the LREB summit to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the region, Governor Oparanya stated that governors shall hold regular meetings to strategize on how to combat the disease.
He also noted that sharing of data has been enhanced for effective decision-making.
However, Governor Oparanya highlighted that oxygen shortage remains a big challenge, with many patients admitted in the Intensive Care Units (ICU) across the region requiring oxygen supplementation.
