Governor Nyong’o warned the County residents against complacency in adherence to mitigation measures in place toward the fight against Covid – 19 pandemic.
Currently, the responsibility of the management of Covid-19 has been shouldered on communities following the opening of the country after 3-months cessation on COVID -19 prone areas.
“You cannot defy death when it comes, take personal responsibility of your health by observing the basic rules” the Governor said during the official launch of the UNHABITAT- CSUDP supported informal settlement Covid -19 response in Kisumu.
Sentiments echoed by His Deputy Dr. Mathew Owili who urged the residents not to drop their guard but observe the basic preventive measures of wearing masks, keeping social distance and hand washing to mitigate the impact of Covid 19.
Governor thanked the UNHABITAT – CSUDP for the donations of 15 dispensers, 50 jerricans, 2,000 litters of hand sanitizers, 3,000 face masks, water supply from KIWASCO and a retainer fee for 30 volunteers who will manage the wash stations for 30 days to be distributed across seven informal settlements namely: Bandani, Manyatta A, Manyatta B, Kaloleni, Nyawita, Obunga and Nyalenda.
It is against the backdrop that the informal settlements in Kisumu are more pre-disposed in the wake of such transmissions due to their dense nature of occupation and special attention has been paid to these areas in the continued fight against the pandemic.
The Chairperson for the Kisumu County Covid -19 Emergency Response Committee Emeritus Deputy Governor, Ruth Odinga urged the UNHABITAT to extend the initiative to the rest of the sub counties and called on other development partners to marshal resources toward the mitigation of Covid- 19 pandemic.
The CEO CSUDP, Mr. George Wasonga on his part thanked both the County Government and UNHABITAT for embracing the initiative that will enlighten the people that Covid -19 is no longer a health problem but also poses economic and social challenges within our communities.
He added that the Production of the state of art hand-washing equipment has impacted positively on nurturing the innovative skills of the youths in the TVET sector.
Persons living with Disabilities were also not left behind since they were the producers of the quality masks donated.
There will also be a Comprehensive database mapping the status of Covid-19 response, facilities and actors in the seven informal settlements in the city of Kisumu.
Also present during the event were: The City Manager Doris Ombara, a host of MCAs, Chief Officer Lands Housing and Urban Development Mr. Geoffrey Ochieng, members of Kisumu Covid- 19 Multi –Agency Technical Group on Informal Settlement (KCMATGIS) among other top county officials.
By: Emily Mikwa
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o Giving a press briefing to the media during the official launch of UNHABITAT – CSUDP supported Informal Settlement Covid-19 Response in Kisumu ( photo by Mr. David Wadulo)
Kisumu Governor Professor Nyong’o together with Deputy Governor Dr. Owili being shown how the dispensers made by the TVET sector function ( photo by Mr. David Wadulo)
Kisumu Governor, Professor Nyong’o during a hand-washing demo during the launch of the UNHABITAT – CSUDP supported Informal Settlement Covid-19 Response in Kisumu ( photo by Mr. David Wadulo)
An assortment of hand washing equipment and hand sanitizers donated by UNHABITAT- CSUDP to be distributed to the seven Informal settlements in Kisumu ( photo by Mr. David Wadulo)