Author: Mercy Auma

Panic has engulfed the Kenya Industrial Training Institute (KITI) quarantine centre in Nakuru after a woman believed to be in her early 20s committed suicide over alleged poor living conditions. According to a local publication, the woman, Elizabeth Holloway, was taken on forced quarantine on Thursday, March 26, 2020, after she had travelled from South Africa. The Health CEC Gichuki Kariuki has confirmed the incident. Apparently, the quarantine area had received four suspected cases of COVID-19, two women and two men. The publication cites that the woman had previously complained of the poor living conditions at the area, and asked…

19 Year old Swiss-based University student who arrived in the country a week ago has tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19). According to Star, the student flew in from Switzerland, boarded another flight from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Kisumu before taking a matatu to his village home in Mumias. However, days after he arrived, villagers raised an alarm as he was taken ill and rushed to St Mary’s hospital in Mumias, and later transferred to Bungoma. By this time, he had already interacted with family members and friends, with the suspicion that they might have also been exposed to…

John Nyakiduluja, an elderly man in Homa Bay County was captured in a video warning his kin not to set foot in his home over Coronavirus (COVID-19) scare. The kin is reported to have toured Italy, one of the most hit countries in the COVID-19 pandemic with a record of 7, 503 deaths as on Wednesday, March 25. In a video circulated on social media, the elderly man issues a stern warning stating that the country, (Kenya) has a total of 31 confirmed cases and he wouldn’t want to be infected since he is elderly. “In Italy, we have witnessed…

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has issued new directives regarding the purchasing and refilling of gas and their prices. This is in reference to traders who have hiked gas cylinder prices amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Through a statement dated March 26, 2020, EPRA has indicated that it is aware of hiked gas prices adding that it has initiated measures to ensure transparency and authenticity. In a bid to address the issue, the regulatory authority has stated that receipts will be issued to anyone purchasing or refilling a cylinder, with details of their name, address, telephone number of…

Staying at home all day doing nothing can be exhausting and boring amid the Coronavirus pandemic that has engulfed different regions of the world. Since the virus is spread through contact, the best method to prevent its spread is via self-quarantine and isolation. But even with music, movies, reading books and all the fun activities, life can still be boring. For instance, schools, restaurants, theatres and even flights have been canceled with movement in and out of borders restricted. Travel, however, is the best way to stay connected and be able to explore. There are different ways of travel, including…

The Media Council of Kenya (MCK) has stated that it would initiate special media passes for critical non-journalistic staff following the curfew directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Through an advisory dated March 25, 2020, the council acknowledged that Media has been classified as an essential service as well as its staff. The staff will include those in non-editorial departments such as the finance, operations, human resources, marketing and CEOs. “Further to the Public Order Number 1 of the National Security Council as delivered by H. E. President Uhuru Kenyatta on 25th March 2020, announcing a nationwide 7PM to 5AM curfew…

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader and AU Special envoy Raila Odinga has urged Kenyans to take the directives given by the government on Coronavirus (COVID-19) very seriously. Odinga called upon Kenyans to obey the measures so as to curb further spread by washing their hands with soap and water. He reiterated on the directive given by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe asking Kenyans to stay home and avoid social gatherings including burials except one of an immediate family member. “Coronavirus is real and is a threat to humanity. It has already claimed 16,000 lives worldwide. Stay away from funerals expect those…

The government has effective immediately suspended the importation of second-hand clothes popularly known as “Mitumba” amid coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. According to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Cooperatives, the move aims to safeguard the health of Kenyans. In a statement, the Ministry additionally stated that the decision to stop the importation of second-hand clothes is aimed to promote local textile industries in the wake of COVID-19. Currently, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country tally to 25, with more people put on quarantine. Read: Coronavirus: A Consignment Of Masks, Testing Kits and Protective Suits Donated By Chinese Billionaire Jack…

The current number of confirmed Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Kenya is at 25, with more people reportedly set to be isolated. Precautionary measures issued by the government in a bid to prevent the spread of the virus entail self-isolation and staying home in order to avoid gatherings. On Monday, March 23, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe reiterated that all passengers coming into the country between now and Wednesday, March 25, when all flights except cargo will be halted, must self-quarantine. In the wake of COVID-19  menace, the only isolation facility was at the Mbagathi Hospital following President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive.…

Manu Dibango, a renowned Cameroonian singer and Saxophone player has passed away from a Coronavirus infection. According to a statement shared on his Facebook page on Tuesday, March 24, Dibango has died at the age of 86 years following a diagnosis with COVID-19. A private ceremony is expected to be held for his burial with a tribute to his memory set to be organized at a later date. “Dear family, dear friends, dear fans, a voice raises from far away…It is with deep sadness that we announce to you the loss of Manu Dibango, our papy Groove who passed away…

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya is set to get tested for Coronavirus (COVID-19) after having interacted with County officials who arrived from Italy. Speaking on Monday, March 23, 2020, Oparanya indicated that he met with the officials who were from Italy, the most affected country by the COVID-19 pandemic, immediately they got back into the country. Apparently, they had gone to outsource water equipment that were needed by the county and on arrival they did not self quarantine. “We had three officers, our own officers who traveled to Italy and they came back nearly one and a half weeks ago. Unfortunately,…

A Roman Catholic  Priest based in Rome who officiated mass and burial in Siaya County has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19). According to the Health Ministry, an emergency response team has been dispatched to trace him and the many others he might have come in contact with during the said period. This comes at a time when the cases of COVID-19 in the country have surged, with the total number of confirmed cases rising to 15. Yesterday, Sunday, March 22, during a presser by the Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, 8 more cases were confirmed and together with the previous…

The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) has released 18 containers of ethanol as directed by the government to manufacture sanitizers to curb the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Following the first confirmed positive case of COVID-19 on March 13, 2020, there has been a looming shortage of hand sanitizers as Kenyans panic shopped. This led to the hiking of prices hence making it hard for a common citizens to afford the item. In a bid to chip in, the government through a memo by the Head of Public Service, Joseph Kinyua,  stated that they would liaise with the oil industry to distribute…

A Nation Media journalist, Christine Omulando, who was reported missing on Wednesday March 18, has been found dead. According to Daily Nation, the sub-editor of The East African was reportedly run over by a vehicle, leaving her dead on the spot, around Khoja Mosque roundabout. The publication cites that Omulando was reported missing after her colleagues and family failed to reach her on the phone. Apparently, she was in for work the previous day and left the office for lunch before the unfortunate incident happened. The police reports also indicate that the vehicle believed to have run her over veered…

Following the outbreak of Coronavirus, President Uhuru Kenyatta declared today, Saturday, March 21, 2020 as National Prayer Day with Kenyans expected to join from wherever they will be as a way to avoid public gatherings. Currently, the country has 7 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 with other tests still being conducted and more people in isolation at Mbagathi Hospital. The National Prayer program is to commence in the afternoon with religious leaders expected to preside over it and the agenda is seeking God’s forgiveness. “Let us join hands together on Saturday. Let us pray for our country. Let us pray…