This archive report was first published on 4 September 2021.
On a somber note, Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has highlighted the alarming rise of Covid-19 infections in education facilities within the county. Published on September 4, 2021, Kinyanjui revealed that August was the worst month since the pandemic hit the country, with devastating consequences.
According to the governor, in August alone, the county lost 196 people to Covid-19 related complications, with 2,005 confirmed cases during the period. The education sector bore the brunt of the pandemic, with at least 46 people losing their lives, including teachers and learners.
“23.5 per cent of the total deaths recorded in August were victims from the education sector,” Kinyanjui noted, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He warned that if the pandemic is not managed effectively in the education sector, the consequences could be dire.
The governor also highlighted the challenges faced by the health department, including a spike in critical cases due to late reporting, despite treatment being free in public health facilities. Many people have turned to self-diagnosis and self-medication, only seeking treatment when their condition has worsened.
Noting that the county government has waived medical bills for Covid-19 patients amounting to over Sh500 million since March last year, Kinyanjui urged the public to turn up for treatment in public health facilities. He also expressed gratitude for the uptake of vaccines, with 102,000 people fully vaccinated and another 55,000 receiving the first jab.
However, the governor expressed concern over the shortage of vaccines, with the county running out of supplies. He appealed to the national government to consider providing additional funding to counties handling referrals from other counties, noting that Nakuru serves six other counties.
