Nyaribari Chache Sub-county Public Health Officer Florence Tirimba has written to pastors in Birongo Ward ordering the closure of places of worship to contain a spike in Covid-19 infections following consultations with the Ministry of Health.

She attributed the move to rising deaths in the area as a result of the pandemic.

“This is to bring to your attention that there is a noted escalation of positive cases of Covid-19 within Birongo Ward.

It has been decided that all places of worship shall remain closed for 14 days effective today,” reads the letter.

It was copied to pastors; Birongo District, Taracha, father in charge, Ichuni parish, chiefs, Keumbu assistant county commissioner, sub county administrator and police.

Kisii County Police Commander Francis Kooli said security officers are working closely with health authorities in the area enforce the measures.

Kooli said police had arrested 270 people since Friday and impounded 17 motor vehicles for flouting Covid-19 rules in the county, adding that they will continue with the crackdown until area residents embrace the Covid-19 rules.

Cars impounded

“The vehicles were impounded for flouting curfew time and carrying excess passengers.

Officers will arrest more passengers to comply with the Covid-19 and curb the spread of the disease,” Kooli told People Daily in his office yesterday. 

He said plans are underway for security and judicial officers to embrace mobile courts so that suspects are prosecuted and fined instantly or put on probation to work in public institutions.

 Last week, Kisii County Secretary and Head of County Public Service Patrick Lumumba said there was a spike in infections in the lake region counties and directed some county offices to be closed for a week to contain the spread.

 “The county received a letter from the Ministry of Health showing high cases of Covid-19 in the region and it has been confirmed the trend is high in Kisii County,” Lumumba said in a statement.