President Uhuru Kenyatta while issuing the Covid-19 pandemic update highlighted that Siaya and Busia counties were ill-equipped in tackling the virus.
While taking into account the national precautionary measures, the Head of State addressed preparedness in counties in the event more cases are reported.
"Siaya County has a ten-bed isolation facility and they have already admitted nine Covid-19 patients from only one incident.
"Similarly, Busia County has a thirty-four (34) bed isolation facility. And by two days ago, it was full," he disclosed.
He observed that the health care system in the two counties would be overwhelmed if cases surged.
The numbers revealed a dire situation with Kenyans online questioning why the county administration was ill-prepared for the virus laying blame to the elected leaders of the county.
Former Presidential candidate Abduba Dida expressed his disappointment stating, "Some counties are a total joke! What sort of joke is the governor of Siaya? With several billion in government allocations and taxes, you only have 10 isolation beds? Why is that joker still a governor? He or she should resign and apologise to the people of Siaya."
KTN News anchor Linda Ogutu added her concern noting, " This presser aside, we need to meet as Siaya County residents. We are setting up a green tent behind the tall tree. Please, 10 beds?"
"Raila Odinga and James Orengo have been in power and government since time immemorial it's very shocking that Siaya County has got only ten ICU beds very shameful," another user Enock Onyango conveyed.
Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga on May 4, had stated that his county's preparedness was heavily compromised adding that his administration had worked to remedy the situation.
"We have unprecedented availability of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) for our frontline health service providers. We have invested heavily in community health care, robust and large scale awareness, far-reaching contact tracing protocols and well-defined isolation and quarantine mechanisms," he stated.
During an interview in May 2020, he revealed that the capacity had been increased from 10 to 16 beds stating that they were in the process of finding a bigger space for the beds.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe had earlier sent a high-level task force led by Acting Health Director-General Patrick Amoth to access the situation in the county.
