Rift Valley locals must bury the dead within 24 hours

Trans Nzoia governor Patrick Khaemba, Uasin Gishu’s Jackson Mandago and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital CEO Wilson Aruasa at the facility yesterday, where the eight Rift Valley governors discussed ways to prevent spread of coronavirus in the region. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

Families that lose their loved ones must bury them within 24 hours, as all mortuaries in all the eight Rift Valley counties will remain closed.

Local governors said they took the decision as a measure to control coronavirus from spreading after they were advised by doctors.

The announcement was made by the governors of Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana and Samburu counties after a consultative meeting at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Eldoret on Wednesday.

Uasin Gishu's Jackson Mandago, who read a statement on the team's behalf, said the decision was meant to reduce gatherings during burial ceremonies. Mr Mandago, who is also the North Rift Economic Bloc (Noreb), said they had also restricted the number of people attending the burial ceremonies to a maximum of 50.

“After consultations with doctors, we have agreed that bodies will be buried within 24 hours upon confirmation of the deaths. The number of people visiting the bereaved families will also reduce,” he said. 

“It is not our wish to make such a decision. It is painful, but we have no option. We have to put measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in our region,” he said.

Mandago said: “All doctors currently on training should report back to their counties for immediate deployment and those studying at Moi University school of medicine should report back to MTRH.”

The governors also urged residents not working but live in towns to return to their rural homes and only go back after the virus had been contained.

Other governors were West Pokot’s John Lonyangapuo, Stephen Sang (Nandi), Stanley Kiptis (Baringo) and Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia). 

Elgeyo Marakwet was represented by deputy governor Wisley Rotich, while Samburu was represented by Julius Leseeti.

MTRH chief executive Wilson Aruasa said relatives of patients who die at the facility would be required to collected bodies immediately.

“This is drastic, but it is necessary that we de-congest our funeral homes and our facilities in general,” Dr Aruasa said.

Prof Lonyangapuo said leaders and health officials in his county would meet with their Ugandan counterparts this weekend to discuss ways of regulating movements across the border.