Busia runs out of soap as Covid-19 scare bites

Joyce Otieno washes her hands before she can enter St. Stephen's ACK in Busia on March 15, 2020. [Ignatius Odanga/Standard]

A number of churches in Busia recorded low turnout yesterday, as congregants chose to remain at home amid coronavirus fears.

Busia is among counties put on red alert due to its position on the border between Kenya and Uganda.

Visitors from Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda enter the country through Busia and Malaba borders.

Due to the shortage of sanitisers in the region, many churches made a last minute rush to buy the disinfectants in Uganda on Saturday.

The shortage saw panic buying in the town between Wednesday and Friday.

In Meru, churches also took key measures to ward off the coronavirus threat yesterday.

A spot check showed that churches near Meru town had provided disinfectants and water for worshipers to wash their hands before joining Sunday service.

Although hugging and shaking hands were discouraged, a number of worshipers could not stop themselves.

“I was aware that we should not be hugging and shaking hands. But I hugged a fellow worshiper just out of reflex!” said Jonathan Mutwiri.

Still in Busia, Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi announced that two committees had been formed to coordinate public awareness on the disease.

One committee will be co-chaired by Governor Sospeter Ojaamong and County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri while the second technical team will constitute health workers.

In Eldoret, health facilities have set up isolation wards that will serve as holding areas for patients suspected to be suffering from coronavirus.

[Ignatius Odanga, Stephen Rutto and Phares Mutembei]