Mochache contradicts Kagwe on wearing of masks

Health Principal Secretary Susan Mochache yesterday warned that those who do not wear masks when outdoors will be arrested.

In what appears to contradict a statement by her boss, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe two weeks ago, Mochache cautioned that the country could revert to Covid-19 restrictions to check the rising infections if people continue to disregard containment measures such as the wearing of masks and seeking Covid jab.

a fornight agom Kagwe maintained that while Kenyans would be required to wear masks in closed places such as eateries, public vehicles and places of worship, one had the option of wearing or not wearing masks while outdoors.

Police have been accused of taking advantage of Kagwe’s statement to harass Kenyans and extort money from them for allegedly breaking the law by failing to wear masks.  PS was speaking at the DC Grounds in Kibra in Nairobi yesterday where together with Amref Health Africa and UN-based Covax facility, AstraZeneca , she flagged off a fleet of Mobile Vaccination Clinics in an effort to protect last-mile communities from the pandemic.  The 10 movable clinics will bring Covid vaccines and other health services to hard-to-reach communities.

“We note with concern that 3.9 per cent of the people infected with Covid so far are healthcare workers. So what does this mean? It means we are headed deep into the sixth wave of the pandemic; further meaning that we could be inviting the restrictions that saw the country suffer huge economic losses,” Mochache said.

She invited Kenyans to have a look at yesterday’s Covid-19 numbers from the positive cases to those that have been hospitalised and charge the situation for themselves.

“During the weekends testing goes down, so the 262 positive cases we are seeing today could still be a pointer that there are more positive cases out there,” the PS noted.

Mobile clinics, the first of their kind in the world, will support communities with limited or no access to vaccines and other health services. They are custom-built and fitted with solar-powered fridges and a backup power supply.

Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group Chief Executive Officer Amref Health Africa, said the initiative will help increase vaccine access and uptake.

Dr Pelin Incesu, Area Vice President, AstraZeneca for the Middle East and Africa said the innovative partnership is aimed at ensuring no Kenyan is left behind.