Kenya: An outbreak of Covid-19 at Kwale County Assembly

By Samuel Ouma

Kwale County Assembly in Kenya’s coast was on Monday, March 15, 2021, closed for some days after five ward representatives and several staffers tested positive for Covid-19.

Confirming the temporal closure, Speaker Sammy Ruwa said the affected Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) are self-isolating, whereas the staffers have been directed to work from home.

Kenya has been experiencing a surge in Covid-19 cases in the last few weeks, with the health experts projecting a looming third wave.

The positivity rate has jumped from 2 percent in January to 14 percent.

To curb further spread of the deadly disease, President Uhuru Kenyatta extended dusk to dawn curfew for 60 days.

Addressing the nation on Friday last week, the President also banned all political gatherings for a month.

Funerals and wedding attendees were reduced to 100, and the places of worship were told to handle a third of their capacities.

Bars and restaurants have been allowed to operate up to 9 pm.

"In regard to funerals, cremations and other interment ceremonies, it is directed that they shall be conducted strictly within 72 hours of confirmation of death. That attendees for funerals and gravesides/crematoria ceremonies shall be limited to the immediate family of the deceased," the President said.

As of Sunday, March 14, 113,236 people had contracted the virus, out of which 88,045 have recovered, and 1913 others have succumbed to it.