Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has revealed three major resolutions that arose from the crisis meeting he convened on Sunday, October 18, 2020.
Speaking at Afya House during the daily press briefings, Kagwe disclosed that his ministry was alarmed by the second wave threat fanned by the lack of responsibility from Kenyans.
The CS further noted that from the meeting, the National Emergency Response Committee (NERC) observed that politicians had been at the forefront of aiding Kenyans in breaking the Covid-19 rules.
"What I find ironic is that it is the business people who pleaded with the president to reopen the businesses. I plead with you to work with us in enforcing measures to stop a possible escalations of the restrictions.
"Leadership is leading by example. If leaders do not observe the measures given going to political rallies and other gatherings, the signals that they sent to the public is that all is well. I appeal to political leaders to show leadership. Somebody has to take responsibility and it has to start with political leaders and business owners among others," stated Kagwe.
At the event, ICT CS Joe Mucheru warned that continuous disregard of the measures would prompt the state to re-introduce the Covid-19 restrictions relaxed by President Uhuru Kenyatta in September.
The Health CS also noted that the team had asked county governments to be steadfast in handling the spread of the virus.
"Today, NERC advised that in the counties, that the county governments take strict measures to ensure that all the health workers have got personal protective equipment. Secondly, is to ensure that in social gatherings distances are kept
"We are asking enforcement agencies to ensure that we enforce the current enforcement measures keeping in mind that the responsibility of containment lies with individuals," he added.
During the address, Kagwe hinted that if the infections maintained the upward trajectory, the state would be forced to institute measures such as restriction of movements into and out of counties considered high risk.
In September, President Uhuru Kenyatta relaxed Covid-19 restrictions including pushing curfew hours to begin at 11 p.m. as opposed to 9 p.m.
The Head of State also opened bars partially as well as eateries and restaurants with Kenyans fearful that previous restrictions may be returned.
In the early months of the pandemic, the Head of State mounted roadblocks around infected counties and clipped night curfews from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. to prevent the spread of the virus that has claimed 832 lives in the country.
Below is the video of Kagwe's presser:
“Today 685 persons have tested positive for the virus from a sample size of 4,912 in the last 24 hours. This is a positivity rate of 12% up from around 4% when we relaxed the containment measures…” - CS Mutahi Kagwe pic.twitter.com/0E9BtcL3t9
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) October 18, 2020
