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Murimi Mutiga @murimimutiga

Top leaders who came into contact with Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi, who tested positive for coronavirus, were yesterday forced into self-quarantine.

The development came as it emerged that Kilifi and Siaya counties could be likely epicentres of Covid-19 spread as the government embarked on tracing people suspected to have been in close contact with Saburi and a Catholic priest who conducted mass and has since tested positive for the virus. 

Kilifi came into the spotlight after Governor Amason Kingi, who admitted having come into contact with Saburi, Lands Chief Administrative Secretary Gideon Mung’aro,  Kilifi Woman Representative Gertrude Mbeyu, Rabai MP William Kamoti, several Ward Representatives and county ministers have all gone into self-quarantine.

The leaders are alleged to have hugged and shook hands with the deputy governor during a burial ceremony in Rabai. 

The other top leader who has gone into self-quarantine is Mombasa politician Suleiman Shahbal, who said though he had not tested positive, had agreed to self isolate.  More than 300 people from the county could have come into contact with Saburi.

Minimise visitors

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe yesterday revealed that another patient had tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the number of cases to 16.

Speaking yesterday, the leaders confirmed that they had isolated themselves and are awaiting tests by the Health ministry even as Opposition chief Raila Odinga came out to clear the air over claims he had interacted with Saburi.

“Odinga has been operating mostly from home while transacting official business online. In addition, he has since suspended operations at his Capitol Hill offices to minimise visitors to the office…and in order to minimise crowding, Odinga made a low-key visit to Mombasa mid last week for a few days of rest, where he stayed in his house,” said Raila’s spokesman Dennis Onyango.

 “During the Mombasa visit, Odinga did not meet with any of the leaders of the Coastal counties or their deputies, except the Deputy Governor of Mombasa County William Kingi. He did not meet Deputy Governor of Kilifi County”.

In Siaya, Kagwe confirmed that a priest who tested positive of the virus had presided over mass during the funeral of a relative.

He said the cleric, who had travelled to Rome and came back into the country, is at an isolation ward in Mbagathi Hospital. 

“We have done contact tracing with people he had come into contact with,” said the CS.

 Siaya County Commissioner Micheal ole Tialal said those who had contact with the priest were being traced.

“Health officers in collaboration with the security officers in the county have launched tests on members of the public in Ambira village, Sega area and Lwak convent where the priest visited,” he said.

Besides the Kilifi leaders, 16 police officers attached to Mtwapa police in Mombasa have also gone into quarantine after falling under the long chain of people who came into contact with Saburi.

“I just learned about it, I am currently in my house waiting for CS Kagwe to bring in the corona response team to conduct tests,’’ said Mung’aro.

Safety measures

Yesterday, dozens of employees at the county had been directed to isolate themselves after they claimed to have come into contact with the Saburi.

Governor Kingi yesterday directed all staff to keep away from the office and strictly observe the coronavirus safety measures communicated by both the national and county governments.

“Let me emphasise that we must all strictly observe the safety measures earlier communicated by both the National government and Kilifi county,” he said.

County Secretary Mkare Jefwa said all patients in hospitals except those who are critically ill have been released unconditionally to their families with immediate effect.

“The office has taken drastic measure towards curbing spread of the virus by directing the department of health services to with immediate effect discharge all patients whom can be well managed at their respective homes and hospitals and to only maintain the critically ill,” he said.

Malindi MP Aisha Jumwa asked the National government to declare Kilifi and the entire Coast region a priority area for emergency response after it emerged Saburi had interacted with dozens of people.

“It is my humble request that the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus declare Kilifi a priority county in the counter Covid-19 war, and roll out urgent measures for extensive screening of county residents beyond the list of contact persons picked from the Deputy Governor’s case,” she said.