Machakos Governor, Dr. Alfred Mutua, has announced that he has postponed his nationwide listening tours amid escalating cases of Covid-19.
His sentiments come in the wake of the emergence of new infections of the pandemic, which is threatening to get to crisis level.
In a press statement issued to media houses Monday, Mutua urged all leaders to act responsibly, halt their public meetings and follow all Covid-19 health guidelines
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“Due to the rising Covid-19 cases, which appear more serious than before, I am postponing my nationwide Listening Tours until the situation improves,” said Dr. Mutua.
“I urge other leaders to also be responsible and halt their public meetings and to lead by example by wearing masks and keeping distance,” added Dr. Mutua.
The governor reiterated that Wananchi normally mimic how leaders carry themselves because they believe they are privy to more information.
“If we look like there is nothing to worry about, Wananchi behave accordingly, placing themselves in danger,” said Dr.Mutua.
“My fellow leaders, greed for power should be tempered. Life and health first,” added Dr. Mutua.
Dr. Mutua embarked on his countywide forums on October 5,2020 with the aim of engaging the public on issues affecting them.
Speaking in Masii town, Mwala sub-county during his first tour, he said the tours would give the public an opportunity to let him know their expectations from the incoming President come 2022.
He reiterated that this was a new way of doing things and a fresh awakening of how things should be run in this country.
During the forum the County chief listened to traders and residents who lauded the county government for the projects it had accomplished in the sub-county, including roads, water and health facilities.
The Governor also outlined a number of projects that the county government is undertaking as well as those earmarked in Masii town area.
He further pointed out that his model replicates that of the Republic of Mauritius, which is smaller geographically compared to Machakos County but has tapped into tourism for economic advancement.
On October 7, Dr. Mutua visited Maua town, Meru County before proceeding to Laare, Igembe North, Meru and Chuka, where he urged the youth to refuse to be used to advance selfish agendas for politicians.
On Sunday, Machakos County Assembly Speaker Mrs. Florence Mwangangi called on Kenyans who test positive for Covid-19 to go public about their status as one way of protecting others from the pandemic.
Speaking from her Kinanie home in Machakos County where she is undergoing home-based care after testing positive for Covid-19, Mrs. Mwangangi said it is wrong for those who test positive to hide the same from those close to them, but instead continue intermingling with them thus exposing them to virus.
She noted that by opening up, the victims help others take precautions and thus avoid contracting the condition.
Mrs. Mwangangi who is also the mother to the Health Ministry’s Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, herself a leading light in the war against the spread of the pandemic among Kenyans, said she had decided to publicly disclose her status so that Kenyans can realize the reality and seriousness of the disease.
She disclosed that her official driver had also tested positive for the disease and had gone into isolation for medical care.
The speaker warned Kenyans against taking the government’s advice on how to curb the spread of the pandemic recklessly, noting that Covid-19 is real and unless Kenyans heed all advice religiously, the pandemic would have devastating effects on them.
Dr. Mutua’s announcement comes barely a day after a local Member of Parliament called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to ban all political rallies in the country as from next week, saying its one way of curbing the resurgence of the covid-19 infections.
Speaking Sunday during church service at the Nguluni Catholic Church, Matungulu MP Stephen Mule said attendants of such rallies had ignored all the guidelines given by the government to control the spread of the pandemic thus exposing many Kenyans.
Mule said there was no point for politicians to start early campaigns for the 2022 elections while risking the lives of innocent Kenyans.
