LAMU HOTELIERS SKEPTICAL WITH THE COVID-19 TESTING ON HOTEL WORKERS

A health worker tests a hotel worker at KingFahad referral center in Lamu,The county has embarked on testing hotel workers a move that tourism chairman Abdalla Fadhil has said if erroneously recorded, there tourism sector will be adversely affected for wrong results urging the government to acertain the testing kits are not faulty

 Testing for hotel and health workers has started in Lamu County.
This is in line with the ministry of health guidelines as hoteliers prepare to have their operational.
According to Victor Tole county’s chief officer health services, testing is for hotel workers and health workers.
Tole went on to say that last week there were samples that were collected from a volunteer who had signs of covid-19.
The CO also added that even if the county has not recorded any positive case, they are waiting for the results of the volunteer who they tested last week.
“As a county we have started testing health workers and also hotel workers in line with the public health guidelines, this is to ensure that the hoteliers can go back to their business, for health workers is to ensure that they are safe and if infected, they can be quarantined” said Tole.
He also said that testing is done to the vulnerable and those in high risk to ensure that they are safe.
“There is no evidence of community transmission at the moment but we only want to ensure that our people know their status”The CO added.
Abdalla Fadhil chairman tourism caucus said that the testing might affect their business if one worker tests positive sating that the government would have first considered getting waiting to get testing kits that are not faulty citing that 75% of the testing kits internationally have given inaccurate results.
Fadhil also said that if a worker tests positive considering the tourists who come to the hotels, then it means there will be no tourist in that hotel thus closing down of the hotel since there will be zero business.
“We are skeptical as a sector since we do not know how the results might turn out, 75% of testing kits that have been used internationally have turned out to be faulty, if a worker tests positive considering where our tourists come from, then we will lose tourists courtesy to faulty kits” said Fadhil.
He also said that the government could have confirmed whether the kits are okey before embarking on large scale testing and who it will affect.”The government was supposed to first confirm the testing kits were ok before embarking on large scale testing, we don’t know who it will affect business-wise” Fadhil went on to say.
The caucus chairman added that with the negativity Lamu has always been in, if a positive case is reported, negative advertisement will affect the sector so much that:saying Lamu’s tourism sector is sensitive and fragile.
“We are crying for a sector that is too fragile and sensitive, is a positive case is erroneously reported absolutely Lamu will loose tourists to other counties, let the testing on workers be done when the government has ascertained that the testing kits are okey,there is no hurry”The chairman went on to say.

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LAMU SENATOR ON THE SPOT FOR EXPOSING RESIDENTS TO COVID-19,DISTRIBUTING FOOD TO THE VULNERABLE

Lamu residents are demanding forceful quarantine on Senator Anwar Loitiptip who is in the county distributing foods to the needy.
Anwar on social media said that he is in the county having transversed from  Nairobi,Mombasa,Kilifi to Lamu-Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi are on lock down after registering the highest number of corona infections.
Lamu county assembly Health chairman James Komu has come out strongly condemning Anwar’s actions saying stern action needs to be taken against such a disobedient leader.
Janko went on to say that it is very unfortunate to see politicians Mp’s senators breaking the lock down rule endangering lives of very many Kenyans, for political mirage.
He said that it is not a must for politicians to be there,if it is food donations they should give their agents out to distribute.
Janko said that if a case is reported to be positive, then the locals will be in danger saying the county commissioner should start locating the senator and make him quarantine.
“I am against what Lamu senator did, he could not give his agents the mandate to distribute food, he made sure that he disobeyed the presidents orders crossed over three counties that are on lockdown, we want him to be made to quarantine”said Janko.
Francis Mugo was not left out in criticizing the politicians actions saying that” It’s so unfortunate that Lamu Senator Anwar Loitiptip, in total disregard to Presidential directive that Cessation of movement together with his team drove from Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi which Counties are Corona Virus hotspots and eventually to Mpeketoni Lamu. Why is Lamu Senator exposing the lives of Lamu people in total disregard to Ministry of Health, Ministry of Interior and President directives and advisory. It’s high time Hon Anwar Loitiptip is arrested and put on Forced Quarantine. It’s unless the cessation of movement was only meant for the people. This disease doesn’t recognize your status or class. We have to respect the Law!”
In Lamu county 6 suspects of corona cases have been isolated at the Mpeketoni sub-county awaiting for the 14 day quarantine.
Alvin Kimani also said it is being careless for a leader to expose the vulnerable, asking what if he carried the virus with him, how many will be infected?He asked.
The senators behaviour has turned out to be a debate in social media-where the senators handlers have defended him while majority have asked him to first consider the health of wananchi he is putting to risk.
The first suspected case was that of the 74 year old Italian Alfredo Dell'aere in March last month when he showed sign of the killer disease, together with his Kenya wife Jennifer Nduse.
Alfredo had been placed on isolation last week after he sort treatment at Siha Medical center a private facility in Mpeketoni where he stayed for two days after having high fever  that is one of the signs of corona virus before being discharged.
The man, who normally lives at his residential house in Mpeketoni with his Kenyan wife, was isolated immediately because of his recent travel history.
It was established that between March 3 and 4 this year, he travelled by Ethiopian Airlines from Rome, Italy, to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
He then travelled to Mombasa and finally to Malindi via a local flight before connecting to Mpeketoni by road.
Two more women who are yet to complete their quarantine period are still being monitored despite the health department saying that the results turned out to be negative.
Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia has said that there is no law that gives them power to force the senator to quarantine"Yes the senator used road from Nairobi to Lamu passed through Mombasa,Kilifi to Lamu against the presidents directive,There is no law that will force us to self-quarantine him"said macharia.

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SMUGGLERS ARRESTED WITH DRY FISH IN LAMU

Dry fish smuggled from Somalia via Lamu enroute to Mombasa.Smugglers have disobeyed the government's order despite the border between Kenya and Somalia being closed in 2019.

SEVEN people have been arrested by Multi-agency team in Lamu with dry fish worth 5 million smuggled in the county.
Lamu county commissioner Irungu Macharia said that the671 bags of dried fish approximately 5 tonnes had been smuggled from Somalia.
The fish was supposed to be delivered to a Mombasa businessman via Lamu from Somalia.
A boat captain, Paradise boat and 6 others were arrested, Two lorries that are supposed to transport the fish from Lamu to Mombasa and the drivers.
Macharia also added that the smugglers are aware that the border has been closed since 2019 but still disobey the down laid rules.
“Our multi-agency team was able to nap 671 bags of dried fish worth 5 million shillings from Somalia en-route to Mombasa” said Macharia.
Macharia also noted that the rules to enforce border closure will be enforced by the multi-agency team, who are acting on intelligence report that there has been smuggling of tomatoes from different parts of the country via Lamu to Mogadishu.
‘We still have people smuggling tomatoes from different parts of the country via Lamu to Mogadishu, we are going to enforce the law until it gets into people’s heads, The border is closed and noone is supposed to disobey the rule. ”Macharia went on to say,
The government has closed a border with neighbouring Somalia indefinitely with cross border trade banned in the process.
The administrator indicated that the measure is part of security operations against Al-Shabaab insurgents operating from the Somali side, the border will only remain open to security officers.
Macharia said that with respect to ban on cross-border trade, persons that contravene the measure will lose their permits and also be arrested. “The border closure comes barely a week after fishing activities off the coast near the Somalia border were outlawed,”
He also said that the security agents are aware that drug trafficking is also being done adding that the surveillance team is on high alert”we are aware that despite contraband sugar finding its way in Kiunga-Kenya, drugs are also finding their way,let the smugglers be warned their days are numbered”Macharia added.

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Omar Athman is welcomed by his mother Mrs.Habiba Yusuf when he was taken home by the Kenya Defence Forces soldiers who found him in the vast Boni forest during an operation, December 2019,Omar has been undergoing treatment at their health facility in Manda:

A family in Mararani, Kiunga Ward, Lamu County could not hide their joy after being reunited with their son who disappeared 5 months ago in unclear circumstances, The son was brought back to the family by the Kenya defense forces. The family that had already lost hope of finding their kin alive, could not hide their tears when he was accompanied by about ten KDF officers who handed him over to his family in the company of Kiunga ward chief Mohamed Atik Atik,Mararani assistant chief Mohamed Abubakar and Kiunga OCS.
Omar Athman Alal, was found in the forest by Kenya Defence forces in December 2019,the soldiers from Sarira forward operating base found an injured unidentified individual with a gunshot wound suspected to have been inflicted by Alshabaab.
The soldiers took him for medical attention at Kenya Navy Manda level II hospital where his wound was dressed,has been receiving treatment under their watch.
The soldiers had a difficult time to identify him at first since he could not speak properly, "he was incoherent at first making it difficult for our team to know his name and his place of origin as well as how he got a bullet injury"said the team leader.
Upon recovery, intensify inquiries were made that led the team to Kiunga police station where it was established that a family had reported a missing kin.
Omar was airlifted to Kiunga to facilitate has re-union with his family who had lost hope of finding him alive, with the assistance of the administrators, they were able to locate the family that was in Mararani.
Omar was received by his mother Mrs. Habiba Yusuf and uncle Mr. Abubu in the presence of over 100 locals, to welcome their son back-alive
The mother thanked KDF for bringing his son back alive-for whom they had performed burial rights after efforts to trace him failed. Kiunga leadership shared their appreciation for the overwhelming support KDF is offering locals and urged the locals to support the security agencies in their operations.
“I am very grateful to have my son back alive even if I would have been handed his dead body I would also have been grateful, I thought I would not see him anytime that is why we had to perform burial rituals for him,I thank Allah for his favour” said Mrs.Yusuf.
As a norm for Muslim, the son and mother did not hug as usual in a re-union only shook hands a way of welcome.
KDF continues to work closely with other security agencies and locals in the ongoing security operations in the vast Boni forest to ensure that the locals live without fear of possible attack by the alshabaab militants.
Security agents for years have been blamed by the civil societies for forceful disappearances on suspected Alshabaab suspects.
January 2nd and 5th this year the militants managed to kill 6 people(3 passengers who were in a passengers bus, 3 soldiers who were at the US-Kenya military barracks),subsequently there has been several attacks on construction workers working on the Lamu-Garsen road at Milihoi where the suspected militants have destroyed construction material like the excavator and a cement Lorry that was delivering cement at the Lamu Port.
March 22 the militants miscalculated their move and instead were engaged in a fierce gun fight with the soldiers who were manning the road when they attempted to attack the construction site at Milihoi,the same spot where former principal Secretary Mariam El-Mawy was attacked by the militants.
Following the fierce gun fights, several militants in the several attempts have been killed by the soldiers,with no injuries on the Kenya soldiers being stated.

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LAMU GOVERNOR FAHIM TWAHA WARNS AGAINST STIGMITISING COVID-19 SUSPECTS

Lamu governor Fahim Yasin Twaha has issued a stern warning against the public against violent acts on people who are suspected to be having COVID-19 or those that have travelled from places that have the pandemic.
The warning was issued out during a presser in Mokowe,where the governor noted that anyone  suspected to have signs close to those of covid-19, are facing stigmatization pointing out the two incidents or cases witnessed within the past two months, adding that their relatives are never spared.
He made these remarks earlier on Friday during a press briefing in the county’s Mokowe headquarters over the status update on the county’s preparedness with regards to managing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 within the county.
He revealed that although the two patients had exhibited presumed Corona Virus symptoms while being admitted at the Mpeketoni Sub County District Hospital it was too early to tell whether they are a risk to the community.
“Presumptions have led to rumours of a possible COVID-19 outbreak which is not the case and residents should be careful not to fall under the trap of stigmatising those seeking treatment for similar symptoms, which could just be TB or pneumonia,” Twaha stated.
Flanked by Lamu County Commissioner Macharia Irungu and the COVID-19 Management Committee the governor further revealed that the samples of the two patients had been taken and dispatched to KEMRI Laboratories with results expected within 24 hours.

“The two patients have already been isolated and contact tracing is already underway to know their travel history,” the governor said.
He advised the public to call the hotline numbers that county public health had provided to enable trained public health officials handle such  suspects instead of people taking the law in their hands.
Twaha also stated that it was also very important for people to understand that anyone could get infected and urged residents to adhere to Ministry of Health preventive guidelines.
 There have so far been no reported cases of COVID-19 in Lamu,since the outbreak of the global pandemic within the country last month.
He also reiterated that the county government’s health facilities have designated isolation facilities that will help in case of an outbreak.
The governor was however optimistic that the measures put in place by the county government were sufficient to tackle the spread of the virus in case of an outbreak.
He also commended the Lamu County Assembly for reallocating Kshs 50 million from their internal budget to aid the county manage the crisis.
The county government has so far set aside Kshs 10 million to aid establishing an emergency fund for the county.
“The county is in talks with suppliers to bring in as many ventilators as possible in case of an outbreak, and we will also embark on a massive sanitiser distribution programme in a bid to keep the virus at bay,We are also organising how relief food will be distributed across vulnerable families across the county, in the wake of reduced revenue streams in more than 60 percent of homes within the county,” he added.
He further said that TVETs in Lamu were so far engaged in making as many as 4,000 masks which will be distributed for free across the county as they were now too expensive to buy from any supplier.
Sentiments echoed by Lamu County Commissioner Macharia Irungu who urged well-wishers to coordinate with the COVID-19 county management team to distribute relief items rather than embark on solitary missions.
“We will not entertain individuals distributing relief items outside the designated programme, in a bid to win political points, and urge that all relief should be steered towards this committee who will then channel it to the public,” Macharia said.
 He also urged members of the public to adhere to the curfew regulations to avoid colluding with law enforcement agencies whom he said are only keen to ensure the safety of Kenyans per the MOH regulations provided.
"we have heard cases of brutality, let lamu residents understand that the curfew regulations put in place apply for all in the country, just like the other curfews that have been posed due to insecurity, residents should observe them not to cross with the security enforcers"said Macharia.
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civil society takes up civic education on usefulness of washing hands in Lamu

Save Lamu in conjunction with Shani ya Lamu have started educating Lamu residents on the dangers of covid-19.

 

Save Lamu chairman Abubakar Alamudy said that this was to fill the gap that is already being felt.

Abubakar went on to say that with their mandate on saving Diversity's, the organisation has installed several handwashing stations in Lamu. 

This touchpoint is building trust amongst the community to work with both local and national governments in helping to reduce the cases of infection of the novel coronavirus within the county.

“It is our responsibility as kenyans to work with our leadership to reduce cases of infection within the country. The government has called each one of us to follow stipulated guidelines and as Save Lamu, we have partnered with our county leadership to ensure that the message is passed to everyone. This pandemic calls for everyone to engage and ensure that we are all playing our part in defeating it.” said Abubakar Alamudy, Chairperson Save Lamu.

This mobilization has seen installations in Mokowe, Manda maweni, Matondoni, Mtangawanda, Shella, Faza. The  initiative came as a response to the gaps identified like mis- information, the need to amplify the government’s response and as a responsibility of Save Lamu to its community.  

This initiative is a follow up to Shani ya Lamu campaign that advocates for protecting the biodiversity of the island and its resources, sharing Lamu attributes and why it needs to be protected. 

“If we protect its people from COVID -19, the county will not only achieve 100 percent Covid -19 free but provide the community with resources to continue building this nation.

" Save Lamu is working to ensure that this pandemic is contained,Lamu has so much to offer beyond tourism,we have to protect each other and the Island” Is'haq Abubakar, board member of Save Lamu said.

The ongoing curfew is rapidly affecting the economy of Lamu bringing everything almost to a standstill. The rate at which goods coming in and out the County has slowed down leaving the majority of businesses at stake from agriculture to the fishing industry where fishers are experiencing big losses for not being able to export their goods to other counties which are currently on lockdown.

Lamu is celebrated for various reasons including the solid culture it has, fishing, tourism and many more that are now affected by the pandemic. These attributes are threatened as the lockdown affects, transport, fishing, movement of goods and some services that are pivotal for the island.

This campaign provides a platform for Lamu residents to participate in ensuring that proper response to COVID -19 is achieved and most importantly that the community will be well informed on how to tackle this pandemic and influence behavior change.

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