Kisumu County bans feasting at funerals over virus

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o has banned feasting at funerals following a rise in Covid-19 cases in the county.

He said burial must take place within 48 hours of reported deaths.

“We will strictly allow only 200 mourners who are close relatives or family friends to attend burial as was announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta,” said the governor.

The governor ordered that families with bodies in transit must not stop over in Kisumu town.

“When they come from Nairobi let them proceed to destination and not stopover in our town to shop. If they are to shop let them do so in Nairobi,” he said.

Prof Nyong’o noted that the county has recorded 495 cases and eight deaths. He wondered why some residents no longer wear masks, sanitise hands or keep a social distance.

“I want to restate that although the national government has partially eased Covid-19 restrictions and announced the curve is flattening, that is not the same scenario here,” Nyong’o said.

Addressing the Press at Prosperity Buildings in Kisumu, yesterday, the governor said the virus is still a threat to residents.

“We want the eight deaths to stop at that. I pray for no more. We don’t want to record more and we are therefore asking people to continue observing the Covid-19 guidelines,” he said.

“I am perturbed that 87 per cent of the latest coronavirus infections are not even coming from the urban centres but being reported in the rural areas. This means that everyone must take care,” he added.

Nyong’o noted that open-air markets had been closed, but traders have resumed operations.

“The rule is more precise, if they keep ignoring the regulations then there is a greater danger as we are not off the hook yet,” Nyongo said.

The governor was accompanied by the new County Commissioner Josephine Ouko who asked the security agents to enforce Covid-19 protocols.

Ms Ouko said all efforts have been put in place to curb the spread of the disease.