Nyong'o bans funeral feasts in Kisumu to curb Covid-19 spread

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o has banned funeral feasts and night vigil parties — popularly known as ‘disco matanga’ — in a new raft of measures imposed following a spike in Covid-19 cases in the county.

Despite the country witnessing a flattening of the Covid-19 curve, Prof Nyong’o observed that the numbers in Kisumu have kept on rising significantly across the county in recent times.

His statement comes a week after concerns were raised over high community transmissions of Covid-19 as well some cases in prisons.

“We are not yet out of the woods. In the past two weeks, we have seen a spike in numbers, an indication that the disease is silently but steadily spreading in our communities,” he said.

Latest statistics from the Ministry of Health show that by Thursday, a total of 495 Covid-19 cases and eight deaths had been confirmed across Kisumu County.

Community transmissions

According to the county boss, out of the total confirmed Covid-19 cases, 431 — or 87.1 per cent — are from community transmissions.

He said the county has also had cases from Kodiaga Maximum Security Prison.

“We have 58 cases in isolation centres, 41 of which are in our State prison isolation units,” Said Mr Nyong’o.

While welcoming President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to partially re-open the economy, Prof Nyong’o reminded Kisumu residents that the disease is still there, urging them to continue following government containment directives.

The Kisumu governor and the new County Commissioner Josephine Ouko asked government officers to enforce the ban on feasting at funerals as well as take action against those holding night vigils which have been going on in the county.

Bodies removed from mortuaries must be buried within 48 hours and only a maximum of 200 people are allowed to attend such ceremonies.

“Mortuaries are not allowed to store bodies brought from outside for more than 48 hours and bodies in transit from elsewhere must not stop over in Kisumu town,” said the governor.

He insisted that all gatherings in towns and villages must be held in strict adherence to the health guidelines and wearing of masks in public offices and gatherings remain mandatory.

He also asked traffic police officers to ensure that social distancing, sanitising and wearing of masks in public service vehicles remain in force.

Isolation beds

The governor stated that the county is prepared to combat the disease, with 401 isolation beds and other measures being in place.

Mrs Ouko asked residents to adhere to the measures by the Ministry of Health instead of waiting for enforcement officers.

She said already, measures have been put in various police stations to ensure that remandees are tested before they are taken to prisons.