Mvita Member of Parliament Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir has issued a rallying call to members of the public following the cessation of movement imposed on Old Town Mombasa on May 5, 2020.
This is after the area had recorded 6 Covid-19 deaths as of May 2, 2020, as revealed by Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, on May 9, the legislator admitted members of his family had been affected by the directive, further urging Kenyans to adhere to safety directives as issued by the national and county governments.
"I feel the pinch twice, not only am I the area MP I have my own family which is in there. The best option is, we have another 11 days remaining, within these days lets figure out what we can do to solve this problem," Nassir intimated.
Having been in the frontline in the fight against Covid-19 in Mombasa, Nassir revealed that he as a leader, and a parent took necessary measures to ensure the safety of his family.
"I have to sanitise every time. I have to adhere to all the safety measures, and some matters I have to address by phone. My family is safe. Their safety is why I got tested in the first place," he stated.
Nassir further revealed that his office, along with the County Government of Mombasa had ensured that residents of Old Town are cushioned against the adversities of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, following the lockdown.
Though noting resistance to the implementation of the directive, he stated that several measures had been taken to ensure that the Mombasa residents are safe, and the spread of Covid-19 is stemmed.
"In any human way, there is always resentment and it is expected. I knew there might be a lockdown. But you can't expect people in lockdown to be calm about it. I am trying my best to do what I can on the same.
"The county government has set up a clinic inside, the market has just reopened for citizens of Old Town, water has been delivered to them," Nassir stated.
"The best option was not the lockdown, the best option is to ensure we have more of sanitisation, social distancing, washing hands. Right now the best is to figure out the way forward," he added.
Nassir has been a leading champion in the fight against Covid-19 in the country, as well as Mombasa County.
Following reports of members of the public shying away from mass testing rolled out by the government, Nassir on May 2, urged residents to adhere to the set safety directives on Covid-19. He warned against the defiance of the measures at the response of human lives in the area.
"When I tell you of the danger present, remember that you may be carrying a virus that may kill your immediate family. Let us consider which is greater, failing to worship or being a danger to people around you," he had warned.
Following the outbreak of the pandemic in the country, Kenyans have since decried the high fees paid to quarantine centres, fronting it as a major reason for shying away from mass testing.
To encourage mass testing in the country and in the region of Mombasa, Nassir tabled before the National Assembly, a motion for the government to foot the quarantine bills, which was effected on May 2020 after it was upheld by MPs.
"By the time I fronted that motion, Old Town had not been one of the most affected areas. Many people were crying and complaining, I just put it into perspective and added it up and added to it.
"It is not for Mvita alone, this is something that will be for all Kenyans. All Kenyans are going to be able to get out of the problem of being told to pay and they don't know what their mistake is," Nassir pronounced.
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