Kirinyaga county government targets PSVs in heightened Covid-19 campaigns during Christmas

The TMJ Reporter in Kirinyaga county

Kirinyaga County Government has heightened Covid-19 prevention campaigns among public transport operators during Christmas period.

Health Executive Member Gladys Kimingi, said that the campaigns that target matatu termini are aimed at getting the support of operators and passengers so that the increased movement of people during Christmas festivities does not lead to increased infections.

The public awareness involves sensitizing passengers and matatu crews at various termini across the county on the need to observe the laid down corona virus prevention protocols that include washing hands or using sanitizers, wearing masks and maintaining social distance among others.

The exercise also involves fumigation of public service vehicles, benches and other areas around the termini. Kerugoya Matatu Stage, which is a major dropping point for people coming from Nairobi to Kirinyaga, is among the termini that have been fumigated and where public education has been conducted.

During Christmas period, there is a lot of movement by people from towns to the villages and this is likely to lead to the spread of infections if people are not extra vigilant.

The CEC said that the public health department has also held sensitization forums with boda boda operators whereby the need to observe prevention measures among them and their customers was emphasized.

Meetings have been held between the public health officials and PSV saccos chairmen whereby sustainability of prevention measures such as continuous fumigation of matatus was discussed.

Emphasis was laid on having all passengers wash their hands or sanitize before boarding vehicles as well as enforcement of social distance regulation in matatus.

During an event held over the weekend, Governor Anne Waiguru stressed on the need for the county residents to be cautious during the Christmas festivities appealing to those travelling from towns to the villages to ensure that they did not compromise the safety of those they find at home especially the elderly.

The governor appealed to public transporters to ensure that they carry the recommended number of passengers to ensure adequate space between passengers. She observed that the county had managed to keep Covid-19 infections at a manageable level noting that no patient is currently admitted in the isolation center though a number of them are recuperating under home based care program. She said that the county has so far registered about 420 cases of Covid-19 and seven deaths

The public transport campaigns complement other public awareness forums conducted in health facilities, schools, prison, markets and other places where people gather.

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