This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
Published on May 22, 2020, the government has sounded alarm over the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in Kibera slum, Nairobi.
Between Thursday and Friday, 21 new cases were reported, bringing the total number of cases in the slum to a worrying level.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced 52 new infections on Friday, raising the national tally to 1,161.
"That is something worrying considering the population in Kibera and further measures will be taken based on the scientific finding," Kagwe said.
As a result, Kagwe warned of a possible cessation of movement in the slum, similar to orders issued last month for Eastleigh region of Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa.
On a positive note, Kagwe announced that five more people had been discharged after recovering from the virus, raising the tally of people declared COVID-19 free to 380.
Between Thursday and Friday, 2,506 people were tested, bringing the total number of tests conducted so far to 55,074.
Nairobi has maintained the lead in cases of infections, with 23 people, followed by Mombasa and Busia with 7 cases each.
Kagwe expressed concern over Busia, a town on the Ugandan border, where thousands of long distance trucks cross to and from the port of Mombasa in the Kenyan coast.
"There is need to become extra-careful and vigilant because it is a border point. We have a lot of truck drivers in Busia," Kagwe said.
