Displaced persons living at Cheptulel primary school camp in West Pokot after raging floods swept their homes are worried of their health status as the country struggles to fight the spread of the Coronavirus.
Locals said it’s hard to adhere to covid-19 regulations at the moment because they have to share the limited resources available despite living in camps which are not comfortable places to live. They said they have been forced to share beddings as they are grouped into classes at night hence defying the Covid-19 rule of observing social distancing and maintaining the one metre rule distance rule.
However, they noted that the situation they are facing at the moment is more horrible than Coronavirus. A local living at the camp Kibet Riwasiwa said his house was washed away and he could only manage to save his family adding that social distancing is tough, “All my livestock were swept down stream. Maintaining a one metre distance from each other in the camp is difficult.” He added that they don’t have adequate face masks to wear neither do they have soap to regularly wash their hands and maintain high standards of hygiene.
Limatukei Kotum said people are scrambling for the donations without considering the one metre distance directive hence putting their lives at risk. He added that they are forced to share utensils and getting treatment for flu is also a challenge. “Children and women are the ones most affected. We sleep in groups and yet we don’t know each other. You can imagine the risks,” he said.
Mr. Were Simiyu, Pokot Central deputy county commissioner said more than 1000 people are camping at Cheptulel primary school after the tragedy hit the area. He warned politicians against taking advantage of the situation by distributing foods stuff and forcing people to regroup before giving them donations. He added that there are a number of politicians who have been at the forefront taking advantage of the situation of soliciting votes for 2022 and yet they are defying Covid-19 regulations.
He said 150 households have been affected and they have distributed food stuffs, masks and beddings to the people at the camp.
He said searching for the bodies is ongoing although the heavy rains are hampering the process.