Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho on Sunday, March 22, called for a total shutdown to be implemented in Kenya to control the spread of the Coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Addressing a press conference in Mombasa, Joho maintained that the country needed a shutdown in a manner similar to the lockdown witnessed in Wuhan, China, and Italy - the new epicentre of Covid-19.
The governor stated that while a shutdown could have unwanted negative impacts on people's lives, it remained the most viable solution to combat Covid-19.
"A complete shutdown is what has made them change the conversation. Now they're saying we will not allow other people into Wuhan, where it all began.
"These are painful decisions, yes. But do we need to take them? Yes, of course. They could cost us, so be it! But we have a responsibility.
"Don't listen to me if you don't want, but I have told you. I want it to go on record that I said it. There is a need to scale down on the things that we normally do in our day-to-day lives for the purposes of preventing Corona coming into our midst," Joho asserted.
Joho noted that several major locations in the world had been shut down including religious sites such as Mecca.
He spoke hours after Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced that the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases had risen to fifteen after eight more individuals tested positive.
"I know it's a painful decision, it's not easy. It's very hard. But I don't want to be in a position where in the future I'm asked, governor, you were there, what did you do?
"I have to take responsibility. It can be costly, it can be unpopular but we are at a time when leadership must check in," Joho stated.
A lockdown or shutdown is an emergency protocol triggered by authorities meant to restrict people or information from leaving an area.
Two months after a lockdown was ordered in the province of Wuhan, China reported its first day with no domestic transmission of Covid-19 on Thursday, March 19.
Wuhan's entire population of 11 million was put under lockdown with residents confined to their homes and unable to access work or school.
Travel into and out of the city was halted, shops closed with the exception of those selling food and medicine, and private vehicles barred from the roads without special approval.
Watch a video of Joho's press conference below:
