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Civil society groups at the Coast have called on the government to fully enforce Covid-19 prevention measures in the public transport sector to cushion commuters from the pandemic.

Most public service vehicles in the Coast region are yet to comply with precautionary measures issued by government, despite the risks of spreading the disease.

Speaking at the Coast General Hospital after accessing the level of preparedness, the lobby groups, through their umbrella body, the Coast Civil Society Reference Group, asked the government to take action against defaulters.

“The public transport in Mombasa is notorious for not adhering to the guidelines and it poses a great risk to commuters in Mombasa.

Since the government issued directives none has complied,” said chairman Zedekiah Adika.

Support fund

A spot check by People Daily established that PSVs plying the Mombasa-Nairobi, Likoni Lunga Lunga and Malindi-Mombasa routes were yet to install sanitisation equipment in their vehicles.

“Only a few, especially long distance buses, have provided sanitisation materials,” said Adika.

Haki Africa Human Rights organisation executive director Hussein Khalid said that in the wake of economic downturn caused by the pandemic, the government should create a fund to support affected Kenyans.

He said just like the money set aside for the elderly, all levels of government should consider giving monetary support to companies and residents who have suffered the impact of the disease.

“We ask both the levels of government to set up similar kitties to support residents who cannot go to work because of the pandemic.

People should not suffer in silence when there is a government,” said Khalid.