Transforming boarding schools into isolation centres for coronavirus in the country as proposed by the government might later cause stigmatisation of students, former Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has said.

While opposing the move by the government to turn learning institutions into isolation centres,

Ruto said the government should instead order the Kenya Defence Forces and National Youth Service to put up temporary structures in each county.

He said schools can only be used for the purpose if the situation worsened to make it inevitable.

“If we convert schools as centres for treating Covid-19 patients, students from the particular institutions might not go to back due to stigmatisation,” he said.

Speaking to the press, the Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) party leader told relevant State organs to act swiftly and release funds for putting up the facilities, which he said can be completed inthe shortest time possible.He also called for the abolition of “unnecessary” procurement procedures,claiming they have hampered efforts to respond to the crisis.

Ruto urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to order for a total lockdown to ensure the disease cannot be transmitted further since most people have failed to heed to calls for social distancing and reducing unnecessary travel