The government of Kenya has confirmed 52 more cases of positive Covid 19 from a sample of 2567 tested in the last 24 hours, bringing the total tally  to 1,161.

Speaking today during a tour of Machakos County  the Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe disclosed that highest number of cases are in Nairobi with 23 new cases, Mombasa and Busia county’s have seven cases each, Kwale five, Kajiado four, Nakuru two, while Kiambu, Taita Taveta, Kilifi and Trans Nzoia have one case each.

Cumulatively the government has tested 55,074 samples. “Today we have also. discharged five more people who have recovered from COVID-19 bringing the total to 380,” he said.

The CS noted that the Government is concerned about the cases in Busia and called on the County Government to be extra vigilant and extra careful as the figures begin to grow.

He stressed that the National government recognizes the efforts that County Governments are putting in place, to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Ministry he argued is working towards strengthening the counties capacity to mitigate the virus.

“This disease cannot be tackled by one person only but by a whole society approach. We have an elaborate plan being implemented to ascertain preparedness and support needed in counties,” he noted.

He also thanked the health workers in the county for the work they are doing to improve health and also the public for observing the containment measures. The National Government he added is focusing on capacity building to roll out a Training of Trainers program to train at least seven health care workers in each county.

This, he added will be cascaded downwards until all personnel are trained. “So far 11,000 counties have gone through the training,” he disclosed.

He added that the government is supporting county governments by employing 5000 community health workers. The process is almost complete and Machakos county is one of  those that has completed the process.

He called on the public to continue observing the measures the government is implementing. “Even though Machakos, has three cases, you are not safe and you are at risk especially being a transport corridor, and I am urging you  to continue to adhere to containment measures and use nyumba kumi  initiative to raise any alarm,” he advised.

The CS also disclosed that Kenya no longer requires to import PPEs since the local manufacturers are able to produce quality protective gears that have been approved by KEBS.

On his part the Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua noted that health care is not a luxury and that proper health is a right to the people. “Corona is real and as a County, we support the national government on the measures its taking,” he said.

As a transport corridor county the Governor disclosed that the county will allow the  truck drivers to stop for only 30 minutes and each must have a coronavirus certificate as they move along.

“I also want to thank the national government for looking at our health care personnel welfare. Here in Machakos our health workers have been paid their allowances in full and we are in the process of supporting them with PPE,” he said.

Governor Mutua further disclosed that the county has engaged the local polytechnics to produce masks and within a month they will distribute 1.5 million masks to the residents of Machakos.