Govt Prepares Matatu Operators for Coronavirus Outbreak

Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia speaking at KICC on March 17, 2016.
Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia speaking at KICC on March 17, 2016.
Daily Nation

UPDATE National Treasury on Wednesday, March 11, released Ksh 300 million to the Health ministry.

The money would help in national preparations for coronavirus.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe stated that 1,100 workers have been trained on how to deal with patients in case of an outbreak.


With Coronavirus spreading fast across other countries, the government has widened its scope in readiness to tackle the disease.

A medical practitioner has her name written on the protective gear at a Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
A medical practitioner has her name written on the protective gear at a Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
KENYANS.CO.KE

On Tuesday, March 10," The Ministry of Transport held a closed-door meeting with the matatu and railway transport operators in readiness to tackle the threat.

According to People Daily, the players were asked to strictly adopt hygiene practices as a measure to curb the disease.

Further, Health Director Patrick Amoth stated that a partnership between the two parties had been formulated in which training and information sharing among the transport operators would be kicked off.

"We have come up with a training program which we will share with our technical teams, and have agreed to start the sensation programs.

"We will escalate this to all counties," he stated.

Additionally, he stated that the training would be based on an existing curriculum for health workers and members of the public.

On his part, Transport CS James Macharia warned matatu operators against discriminating the Chinese nationals.

He called upon the matatu operators to use hotlines that had been provided by the Health Ministry in case of any suspicion.

At the same time, Rodney Adams, an infectious disease specialist at the Aga Khan University (AKUH) and AKUH medical chief of staff Majid Twahir stated that the anxiety been caused by the disease in the country was unnecessary.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, the duo added that the outbreak was manageable through basic measures.

 "Wash your hands always, use tissue while coughing and avoid touching eyes," the experts stated.

"We are asking concerned players to enhance preparedness in taking care of the elderly in the country in case of a Coronavirus outbreak," Twahir stated.

A tourist is screened for Coronavirus at the Port of Mombasa on February 13, 2020
A tourist is screened for Coronavirus at the Port of Mombasa on February 13, 2020
Daily Nation