It’s mad a rush for Covid jab and travel ahead of festivity
By People Team, December 24, 2021There was a mad rush for the Covid-19 jab at various health facilities in parts of the country as Kenyans rushed to get vaccinated ahead of the festive season.
On Wednesday, a total 205, 948 Kenyans were vaccinated, the highest number in a single day according to the Ministry of Health’s latest report.
This could be in response to the latest push by the government to lock out unvaccinated people from accessing public services and by extension social events this festive season.
This followed the government’s move to impose tough sanctions to check the fast spreading Omicron variant over the festive season.
Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe, indicated the measures he announced on November 21 and revised on Wednesday, to include social events such as weddings and other indoor leisure meetings, are bearing fruit.
“I am pleased to announce that we have surpassed our previous record of vaccinating 154,887 persons in a single day that was recorded on December 20,” he said when he released the Covid-19 update, the latest yesterday.
He reported that 3,746 people had tested positive for the disease, from a sample size of 11,537 tested in the last 24 hours.
Proof of vaccination
“From the cases 3,542 are Kenyans while 204 are foreigners. 1,987 are females and 1,759 are males. The youngest is a six-months-old child while the oldest is 104 years,” he said.
Kagwe warned that Kenyans will be required to provide proof of vaccination, to be allowed to attend events during the festive season.
“Proof of vaccination will be required in the following settings: all organised events, including weddings, funerals, receptions, organised parties, conferences, sports, trade fairs and workshops,” the CS said.
He reiterated his call on all adults aged 18 years and above and teenagers aged 15 – 17 years to come out and get vaccinated.
This is even as he encouraged Kenyans to continue adhering to the health protocols.
“At first I didn’t want to get vaccinated because I assumed that my immune system was strong.
However with the new variant spreading so fast, I am now convinced that vaccines are important for my own and my family’s protection,” said Arthur Rodi, as he lined up at a vaccination centre in Mombasa to take the jab.
Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital (CGTRH) was not spared the rush for the jab.
“I am here to get the Covid-19 alongside my colleague, because the government has warned that without proof of vaccination you won’t get services.
At first we were hesitant because we thought it was only a threat but now we have seen it’s becoming serious.
Our bosses are also encouraging us to get vaccinated,” said Muthui Mutinda; a staff member at Cool Breeze Hotel in Mombasa.
But even as the crowd continued to build up, it emerged that most of the people were yet to register their details on the Covid-19 registry portal as per the requirement and were being sent away to fill in their details first.
At the Kaderbhouy Health Centre in Mombasa, vaccine seekers who came after 11am were being sent away as the facility has a scheduled time for vaccines between 8.30 to 11am.
Proof of vaccination
“Kindly take note we provide Covid vaccination every Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 11.00am,” states a note by the management.
In Nakuru County, Police heightened a crackdown against individuals not complying with Covid-19 containment measures ahead of festivities.
The sustained operation saw the arrest of people not wearing facemasks within the town’s Central Business District (CBD) even as Covid-19 infections continue to rise.
Yesterday, police patrolled Public Service Vehicles (PSV) termini to ensure full compliance with the containment measures.
James Mwaniki; a matatu driver noted that despite the police arresting those flouting the rules, there was a need to kickstart a clear roadmap to lock unvaccinated people from boarding PSVs.
This comes as the country’s major highways also witnessed unprecedented gridlocks as thousands of travellers made their way to the various destinations to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Day.
In Mombasa, commuters were forced to pay double the usual fares to their various destinations after Passenger Service Vehicles (PSVs) took advantage of the holiday rush to hike fares.
A spot-check by People Daily established that bus companies plying the Mombasa-Nairobi and Mombasa-Kisumu routes had increased their fleet to meet customers demand.
Modern Coast Bus company charged between Sh1,800 for a one way trip from Mombasa to Meru and Sh2,000 from Mombasa to Maua, an increase of almost Sh500 on both routes.
Mash Bus company on the other hand charged Sh3,700 for the normal seats and Sh4,000 for VIP seats from Nairobi to Kampala and between Sh1,300 and Sh2,000 between Mombasa and Nairobi- an increase of about Sh500.
“It is very unfortunate that bus transporters take advantage of the holiday rush to hike bus fares, I have been forced to pay Sh1,500 to Machakos from Mombasa which previously was Sh1,000 or less,” said Mutua Kaumbulu, a traveler.
Hoteliers also recorded higher bookings across the region with many registering full occupancy.
“Hotels in the region are receiving encouraging bookings and reservations with local holidaymakers accounting for the highest percentage,” said the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Association of Hotel Owners and Caterers (Coast) Sam Ikwaye.
In Kisumu, thousands of people descended on the city yesterday ahead of the three-day Christmas street festival starting today upto Boxing Day.
Organisers said it will be a day to celebrate cultural diversity and to provide immense opportunity for businesses as well as focus on togetherness.
The celebrations will be characterised by songs, dance, shopping culture and diversity along the Oginga Odinga, Jomo Kenyatta and Angawa avenues.
“We are helping our economy to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic impacts as well as providing a platform to celebrate the many things that distinguish Kisumu from other cities,” acting city manager Abala Wanga said in a statement. — Report by George Kebaso, Noven Owiti, Roy Lumbe, Reuben Mwambingu and Harrison Kivisu