Save us from panty masks, Maragua residents plead with Govt. | PHOTOS

Tens of residents of Mathare slums in Maragua Town, Murang’a County have pleaded with the county and national governments to provide them with “decent” face masks after local hawkers sold them masks that resemble women’s panties.

The residents say the “funny-looking” masks cost them Ksh20 each.

They claim due to their financial statuses, the hawkers have been taking advantage that they (residents) cannot afford to buy “decent” face masks, which retail at Ksh100 and above.

“In order to avoid being arrested by police officers for not wearing masks, we have been forced to buy the panty-like masks at Ksh20 each. We are not even sure if the masks can protect us against coronavirus,” one of Mathare residents who spoke to K24 Digital on Tuesday, April 14, said.

Most of the inhabitants of Mathare slums engage in menial jobs such as cleaning hotels and bars, washing people’s clothes at a fee, building and construction work, among other low-paying jobs to eke a living.

The constituents claim that since the national government imposed a 7pm to 5am curfew on March 25 and ordered the closure of bars and nightspots, they have been earning little money from their daily income-generating activities. They now plead with both levels of government to provide them with food to feed their children.

Ichagaki Ward MCA Charles Mwangi Ng’ang’a, who is the area representative, last week said he had surrendered his April 2020 salary and directed it be channeled to the COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund.

On Sunday, April 12, area MP Mary Wamaua donated face masks to boda boda riders in the area. The protective gears weren’t enough though.

Wamaua also gave out reflector jackets to the operators bearing her name, sparking concerns about the legislator’s priorities.

“We need enough face masks, not reflector jackets. She shouldn’t be politicking when Kenyans are going through a turbulent period due to COVID-19 outbreak,” said one of the boda boda riders.