This archive report was first published on 8 May 2020.
As Mombasa's Old Town went into a lockdown on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, five people who tested positive for Covid-19 slipped out with their families and vanished. The five, whose identities were not disclosed, were among the last group of 65 to be tested in the area at the weekend.
They had volunteered their samples but did not wait for the results. Governor Hassan Joho appealed to them to return and warned they will be pursued should they not heed the call.
“Five people who tested positive have gone into hiding instead of coming to our facilities,” said Governor Hassan Joho. “The law will take its course but we would like them to return so that they can be taken in for treatment,” he added.
According to Governor Joho, all the missing families come from Sijara in Bondeni, where a herbalist who died from the virus also lived. The lockdown was announced by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe to combat the spread of the disease in the area.
Old Town's markets and shopping malls were shut as business ground to a halt on Wednesday night. Several well-wishers, including Opposition leader Raila Odinga, made donations towards the Mombasa County Emergency Household Relief and Nutrition Support Programme.
Yesterday, Raila's donation of a truck load of maize and wheat flour was conveyed to Joho by Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal. Others who made similar donations include Abagusii Community in Mombasa, Toyota Kenya, Youth Drive and Sisi Kwa Sisi group.
Old Town's narrow streets were deserted, with thousands staying indoors amid a heavy police deployment at all exits and entrances. No major incidents were reported by the police as the State announced the launch of a new hospital inside the 78-square-kilometre old town of 28,000 residents.
The temporary hospital will handle all ailments except Covid-19. Joho said the County Health Department has already seconded medical personnel and provided medicine to the new centre that will attend to emergency cases.
County Chief Medical Officer Khadija Shikelly said the clinic would be open today. “The clinic opens its doors to those seeking medical attention from 7am upto to 5pm,” Dr Shikelly said.
She said there shall be screening booths for Covid-19 and urged people to volunteer for testing. Shikelly said people requiring quarantine and whose households meet the threshold will be allowed to self-quarantine in their own homes and the houses will be marked.
Two hotline numbers have also been established to help those in distress from Old Town area. The numbers, according to Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid, are 0755000555 and 0100001001 and they are operational on a 24-hour basis.
