The Kisumu County Government and UN-HABITAT have joined hands with Civil Society Urban Development Platform (CSUDP) to curb the spread of COVID-19 in informal settlements at the lakeside city.
The project intends to create awareness on hand washing activities in seven highly populated informal settlements namely; Nyalenda A and B, Manyatta A and B, Obunga, Nyawita and Kondele.
According to CSUDP Chief Executive Officer (CEO), George Wasonga, the programme seeks to sensitize and empower local communities on mitigation efforts for sustainability.
Wasonga said they will distribute 15 hand-washing stations at designated areas within the settlements. Designated station managers will collect behavioral data of the communities with regard to response to the containment measures against COVID -19.
The non-contact hand-washing stations were developed by students at Ahero Vocational Training Centre as part of the institutions response towards the COVID – 19.
“The targeted communities will also be issued with locally produced face masks made by physically challenged trainees from vocational institutions in the County,” he revealed.
The Kisumu Water and Sewerage Company (KIWASCO) will ensure sufficient and consistent water supply to the project.
On his part, Kisumu Governor, Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o decried the laxity among residents warning that by neglecting the rules set up by the government, Kenyans could be faced by another round of devastating effects of COVID – 19.
Prof. Nyong’o emphasized the set protocols such as hand washing, using sanitizers and keeping social distance as key to the control of the pandemic.
The Governor challenged them to take personal responsibility pointing out that COVID -19 was no fiction as portrayed by a section of the society but a reality that we have to contend with.
He noted that the County government will set up village councils to ensure adherence to hygienic standards and environmental cleanliness.
By Fredrick Ajok/Joseph Ouma
