This archive report was first published on 22 May 2020.
As the country's Covid-19 curve appears to be flattening, Kibera slums in Nairobi are experiencing a worrying surge in cases. The area reported eight new positive cases on Friday, putting it in the red zone alongside Kawangware and Eastleigh.
According to the latest figures, Kibera had 13 new cases on Thursday, 24 on May 19, and 15 the following day. The government is now considering a lockdown in the area due to the high number of cases.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, who spoke in Machakos Town, expressed concern over the trend, saying that Kibera is a worrying area with eight cases. He emphasized the need for Kenyans to adhere to government measures to reduce the numbers.
On Thursday, Kagwe also noted that seven cases in Siaya were linked to Kibera after individuals travelled upcountry for a burial and later tested positive. He criticized the permit for the burial, which was signed by an unauthorized person, and said that police respected it, allowing the mourners to pass through roadblocks.
“There is a reason why we lock down areas and institute cessation of movement orders in Nairobi. But people think they are being clever to take a body for burial, which is a case of biting the nose to spite the face. This disease will kill you,” Kagwe said.
The cases in Nairobi were recorded in various estates, including Kibra (8), Langata (3), Kamukunji (2), Dagoretti North (2), Embakasi East (2), Embakasi South (1), Embakasi West (1), Kasarani (1), Starehe (1), and Roysambu (1).
