The Ministry of Health has announced a cholera outbreak in Kamukunji area of Nairobi amid calls for the members of the public to observe hygiene guidelines.
Speaking at Kitengela Vaccine depot when he launched the distribution of 21 customized vehicles to counties to aid in the distribution of vaccines, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said Kamukunji has been zoned to avert further spread.
The Cabinet Secretary Health Hon. Mutahi Kagwe this afternoon flagged off 21 vehicles to 21 counties. The vehicles will support the immunization programme. It is a generous donation from @gavi and @UNICEF@MOH_Kenya pic.twitter.com/00DKNckKCr— WHO Kenya (@WHOKenya) May 5, 2022
Kagwe said the area has reported several cases of cholera raising alarm and prompting the Ministry of Health to take urgent measures to curb the further spread.
Cholera vs Covid-19
Kagwe says that since Covid-19 safety measures were relaxed, Kenyans have compromised hygiene and proper sanitization.
"There was no single case of cholera during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic. The level of hygiene was a notch higher. People have gone back to the culture of not washing hands and sanitizing. We are already feeling the itch because Kamukunji, Nairobi has recorded cases of a cholera outbreak, "he said.
The CS said although the cases are not severe, rapid severe measures must be put in place to curb the menace.
He noted that some counties are still grappling with poor sanitization and open defecation exposing their population to a health hazard.
He also commended some counties including Kisumu County over vigorous efforts to fight open defecation.
