A team of seven fishmongers from Jubilee fish market led by Mr. Joseph Owino together with Mr. Abisai from chicken basket, today received hand wash equipment and protective gears courtesy of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) working closely with the County Government to help prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus among food handlers.
This initiative which is in line with the county’s COVID-19 response plan seeks to strengthen health protocols and enhance the capacity of traders to address the Coronavirus disease challenge.
FAO through its program dubbed Integrated Country Approach (ICA) meant to boost decent jobs for youth in Agri- food Systems in Kakamega and Siaya along the fish and poultry value chain learnt from the actors that Jubilee market in Kisumu is the main market for fish dealers and the Chicken basket also provides ready market for poultry farmers in Siaya and Kakamega.
It is against this premise that FAO representatives held a consultative forum with fish traders from Jubilee market to ascertain some of the challenges they face especially during this period of Covid -19 pandemic.
In response to their immediate needs and to enhance consumer value on matters food handling, FAO has donated 74bottles of hand liquid soap of one litter each, 10 handwashing peddle basins of 40 litters each, 310 re-usable face masks, 100 packets of surgical face masks. 3 number infra-red thermo guns and 62 pieces of food safety hand gloves.
While presiding over the official handing over of the equipment to the traders, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Irrigation, Livestock and Fisheries, Mr. Gilchrist Okuom thanked the partners for their timely response.
Noting that businesses have been affected across the globe due to the pandemic, he urged the traders to adhere to the health protocols in order to do business in a safe environment taking personal responsibility to enhance their safety and that of their customers.
“You perform a critical role in consumers lives that is why you were identified for the support. Therefore, you must keep yourself and those around you safe by wearing your masks appropriately and avoid complacency because you are dealing with somebody you know” Mr Okuom said.
He also tasked them to take care of the equipment so that it can serve them longer and that water should be made available in the wash basins throughout for people to use.
The County Executive Member Mr. Okuom was flunked by two Chief Officers from his department, Dr. Paul Omanga and Madam Rosemary Raluoch who also echoed the importance of adhering to the preventive measures including hygiene, social distancing, and regular handwashing among the traders.
By: Emily Mikwa
