Nairobi Metropolitan Services Director General Mohamed Badi, on Thursday, March 26, 2020, convened a meeting to discuss contingency measures for the county following the Covid-19 virus outbreak in the country.
The general, along with Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja chaired the meeting that was attended by Women Representative Esther Passaris along with several other legislators from the county.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino informed that the discussions were centred on the provision of water, food security and other related issues to ensure safety and well being of residents during this period.
" It was decided that an emergency program will be put in place to distribute water regularly through bowsers to informal settlements to support hygiene and cleanliness which has been proved to prevent coronavirus transmission," Owino stated.
"On food, we are working on a relief food program to support the most vulnerable citizens of Nairobi who struggle to make ends meet on a day to day basis," he added.
Owino informed that the leaders had agreed to immediately improve the road network to make sure services and emergency goods get to those who need them the most.
"There are specific interventions and measures being solidified as we secure funding to the Nairobi Metropolitan Service to ensure public safety and the protection of livelihoods for the millions of Nairobians who are vulnerable at this time," Sakaja stated.
Passaris stated that her office was ready to work with NMS along with legislators to complement the government's efforts to shield and cushion Nairobi residents from the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 virus.
Following the outbreak and confirmation of more Coronavirus cases in the country which has seen the tally rise to 28 as of March 25, 2020, several counties have since moved to enact measures to curb further spread of the virus.
On March 25, Nakuru County Commissioner Erastus Mbui ordered the closure of all markets in the county, further moving to kick out boda boda and matatu operators from the town's central business district.
Mbui stated that a lockdown of the CBD was in the people's best interests amid the pandemic.
Nairobi county has in the past few days conducted fumigation operations within the city's CBD and markets. This, Health CEC Hitan Majevdia stated would help curb further spread of the virus.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on March 25, ordered a nationwide curfew from 7 p.m to 5 a.m starting Friday, March 27, 2020. The directive by the head of state was a measure to shield Kenyans from the virus.
Kenyans plying their trades in the informal sector have since called upon the government to take their plight into consideration, some arguing that a total lockdown would mean no work for them, and as result, they would be unable to fend for their families.
Senator Sakaja stated that the meeting convened by the Nairobi leaders was to establish a plan to get Nairobians through this period.
