Kirinyaga County Assembly closed for two weeks due to Covid-19 infections

Kirinyaga County Assembly Speaker Anthony Gathumbi during a past sitting.  [Joseph Muchiri, Standard]

The Kirinyaga County Assembly will remain closed for two weeks after staff and MCAs tested positive for Covid-19.

According to a statement by County Assembly Speaker Anthony Gathumbi, the premise will be fumigated and the two-week period will allow members to self-isolate to avoid further spread of the virus.

“Following the receipt of Covid-19 test results for Honourable Members and staff of the County Assembly which revealed the presence of positive cases amongst us, the assembly shall effective November 19, 2020, remain closed for two weeks.

“This shall allow for intensive fumigation and continued observance of the Ministry of Health COVID-19 protocols and guidelines at the County Assembly precincts. It shall also allow for uninterrupted isolation and observation of the confirmed cases as well as observation of those who have come into contact with them,” read the statement in part.

Further, the Clerk of the County Assembly will prepare a programme for engagements during the said period.

This comes just days after the county closed its headquarters for two weeks in an attempt to control the spread of Covid-19.

The statement paints a grim picture of a rising number of Covid-19 infections and fatalities even though the necessary health guidelines are being observed.

“Despite efforts to keep the offices running and staff continuing to physically interact while strictly observing MoH Covid-19 guidelines, these have not borne desired results; if anything, cases appear to be increasing by the day at the headquarters,” reads the statement.

To ensure that services continue being delivered to the people, the county has advised its County Executive Committee and Chief Officers to develop plans that will ensure that critical functions are executed while observing all MoH guidelines.

“Departments should conduct virtual meetings and use electronic devices in the transmission of information and data as much as possible… it has become imperative to institute some urgent measures while avoiding to ground critical operations,” adds the statement.