This archive report was first published on 7 May 2020.
As the Ramadhan period continues, two areas in Nairobi and Mombasa have emerged as coronavirus hotspots due to a culture of socialisation and communal gatherings.
On May 6, 2020, the government locked down Eastleigh in Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa in an effort to turn the tide on the dramatic escalation of coronavirus infections.
According to the Ministry of Health, 47 people, including 32 from Mombasa and 11 from Nairobi, tested positive for the virus, bringing the national caseload to 582. Eastleigh contributed five cases, while Mombasa's Old Town produced 25 positive cases.
Residents of Eastleigh have been accused of failing to observe and maintain social distancing, which has fueled the spread of the virus.
Eastleigh's high population density and the presence of illegal immigrants, mainly from Somalia, have also been cited as contributing factors to the spread of the virus.
Despite the government's ban on social gatherings, residents have continued to gather for prayers and breaking the fast, which has been identified as a major contributor to the spread of the virus.
Analyst Rashid Abdi has accused religious leaders of influencing the culture of disregarding the measures put in place to control the virus.
“Two months ago, I warned against complacency in Eastleigh. I got a lot of flak from criticising hardline Imams intent on group prayers while dismissing the coronavirus. Well, Eastleigh is now Nairobi’s most efficient Covid-19 incubator and the most prolific vector is an imam,” Mr Abdi tweeted.
