Health Ministry Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Mercy Mwangangi, on April 14, during the daily briefing on Covid-19, read out the latest statistics and one thing stood out, the rate at which the virus is moving upcountry.
Of the 47 counties, 21 have now registered confirmed cases, with potential individuals who may have come into contact with any of the Covid-19 positive individuals mostly still at large.
"Despite the measures we have put in place, we are witnessing a phenomenon where the virus is increasingly moving to the counties," CAS Mwangangi stated during a presser.
"The virus is now domiciled across the length and breadth of our Republic, from down South in Kilifi to Mandera in the North, and from the West, in Vihiga to Kitui in the East," she added.
According to the latest data availed by the Ministry of Health (MoH), there are 90 confirmed cases distributed outside the capital city and spread out across multiple counties.
The spread was highlighted as: Mombasa 34, Kilifi 10, Kiambu 7, Mandera 6, Machakos 6, Nakuru 5, Kisii 1, Kitui 2, Laikipia 2, Kajiado 2, Murang'a 2, Homa Bay 1, Kakamega 2, Nyamira 1, Nyandarua 2, Nyeri 1, Siaya 2, Uasin Gishu 2, Vihiga 1, and Kwale 1.
In order to mitigate the alarming phenomenon, the Health CAS announced that the ministry would embark on a mass testing exercise across the country, taking into consideration the risk profiles of clusters.
"In total, the first phase of the mass testing will see approximately 12,000 testing kits deployed to target areas in the next few days," the Health CAS announced.
Various high-risk areas have been identified to kickstart the countrywide testing drive such as quarantine centres, hotels, isolation facilities and hospitals.
The MoH also revealed that it would be prioritising areas such as the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Mandera and Siaya.
