This archive report was first published on 21 April 2020.
Kenya: Where Kenyans Are Flouting Virus Rules With Reckless Abandon ¶
Published on April 21, 2020
With five confirmed Covid-19 cases in Nakuru, the county is emerging as one of the hotspots in the fight against the deadly virus. Despite this worrying statistic, residents of the biggest town in Rift Valley region and surrounding counties are going about their businesses as usual, disregarding the guidelines put in place for their own safety.
According to The Nation, a majority of traders and residents in Nakuru town are throwing caution to the wind, with some people complying with the Health ministry's social distancing and handwashing directives only to avoid arrests. The new matatu termini in the town could be the weakest link in the spread of the virus, as operators are neither wearing masks nor observing basic social distancing.
Mr Peter Maina, a Mwaki Sacco driver, attributed the disorganisation and overcrowding during peak hours at the terminus as the biggest challenge. He also pointed out that touts have to remove their face masks in order to be heard well, and when they are fighting for passengers, they end up holding them, a move that can easily spread the virus.
Similar scenarios were observed at open air markets in the town, including the Heshima roadside market along the busy Nakuru-Nyahururu highway, where traders continue selling their wares in total disregard of social distancing. Ms Mary Wanjiru, a trader, blamed limited space for the blatant disregard of the ministry's guidelines.
At the makeshift Wakulima market, which has been shifted to Afraha Stadium Annex, the muddy open air market is teeming with hundreds of traders, who are mingling and selling their produce to customers with little regard for the lurking danger. "There is a lot of confusion here as we are still settling down. Further, there is little sensitisation on social distancing," said a fruit vendor.
Motorists using Moi Road in the morning are having a nightmare as boda boda riders, tuk tuks, and trucks bringing fresh produce cause huge traffic snarl-ups. In various estates, especially in the informal settlement areas, roadside maize roasters continue to operate in complete disregard of social distancing regulations.
County Health Chief Officer Samuel King'ori urged residents to follow the Ministry of Health guidelines, saying it is for the sake of their health. He also warned that he will send his officers to ensure those who still want to operate dangerously follow the guidelines.
Similar scenarios were observed in Molo and Elburgon trading centres as well as areas where young people wait for casual jobs, where social distancing seems like a foreign concept. In Maralal, Samburu County, residents are overcrowding at movie shops. At Karagita beach in Lake Naivasha, most traders are going about their businesses unconcerned about social distancing.
