This archive report was first published on 20 May 2020.
As the number of Coronavirus cases in Kenya continues to rise, the government has extended the partial lockdown in Nairobi's Eastleigh estate and Mombasa's Old Town until June 6, 2020.
According to the National Emergency Response Committee on Covid-19, the measures are aimed at containing the further spread of the virus that is now being transmitted locally.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said the situation continues to escalate, with 66 new cases reported on Wednesday, the highest number ever since the pandemic hit the country.
Of the new cases, Mombasa has 30 and Nairobi has 26. The government has also listed Likoni and Changamwe towns in Mombasa as new areas under surveillance after they reported a significant number of cases.
“We hope to bring some measure of control. Mombasa continues to be the area of challenge. Areas of concern are now Likoni and Changamwe,” Kagwe said.
The government has sustained containment measures, including the extension of the dusk-to-dawn curfew for a further 21 days, announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday afternoon.
Despite the high daily cases, there has been an increased inflow of people in the Capital city Nairobi, with increased traffic jams. The Ministry of Health is worried that Kenyans are disregarding the preventive measures as they slowly begin to return to normal.
“Let me once again remind our people of the importance of adhering to the containment measures and regulations that we have consistently advocated for. These are the most effective way to flatten our curve,” the Health CS urges.
At the borders, the disease is posing a new challenge, with a rise in COVID-19 cases detected among truck drivers at various border points. Drivers of cargo vehicles must undergo mandatory testing before being allowed into the country.
