The Government has vowed to use all means possible to restore peace on the Narok-Nakuru border after skirmishes left 8 people dead and several others nursing injuries.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya.PHOTO/Courtesy.
On Wednesday Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya led government officials to the area and held a meeting aimed to ensure peace in the area.
“The security agents will be here to ensure peace is restored and we will not allow a few youths to mess up the peace in this area” said Natembeya.
During the meeting, Natembeya reiterated that no human activities will be allowed in the Olposimoru forest.
According to the RC, the Olposimoru forest has been the source of conflict in the area and the government will not allow such to continue undermining peace in the area.
“From now henceforth we shall not allow any human activities in the Olposimoru forest” he said.
So far, eight people have lost their lives in the Narok-Nakuru border skirmishes while several others are nursing arrow-wounds in various hospitals.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya and his police counterpart Marcus Ochola addressing media in Nakuru.PHOTO/Pristone Mambili.
Riftvalley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya has revealed the formation of regional command centre in Nakuru for the COVID-19.
According to Natembeya,the regional multiagency command centre will be at the Regional headquarters office.
He says this is in preparation incase the situation goes to the worst.
He says the centre will be the source of all information on COVID-19 in the Riftvalley region which has 14 counties.
“We will be calling you soon for the launch of the multiagency Regional command centre on COVID-19.The centre is in readiness incase the situation goes to the worst” Natembeya told Journalists in his office.
The Riftvalley Regional Commissioner who addressed media on Thursday also revealing that they are also in the process of identifying the most vulnerable in all the 14 counties.
He says this is in preparation incase the situation prompts a lockdown.
“We have identified vulnerable people just incase we reach lockdown.We are compiling list” he said.
The RC also stating are that they are identifying schools that can be used as isolation centres incase the situation worsens.
He however appealed to residents of Riftvalley region to adhere to the guidelines since the COVID-19 is serious and has no boundaries.
“We are almost desperately asking Kenyans please avoid contracting this disease.Prevention is key” he said.
Hawkers in Nakuru town have been ordered to vacate the central business district with immediate effect.
Rift Valley Regional Coordinator George Natembeya has said that hawkers will not be allowed to operate within the town until further notice.
He made the announcement when he made an impromptu visit at Nakuru matatu Terminus where he has sensitized people on the importance of precautionary measures given by the government to counter spread of the deadly Corona Virus
He gave the hawkers up to 2pm to vacate the CBD or be forced out.
At the same time Natembeya ordered traders at the wakulima market to operate at 1 meter apart meaning that hundreds of traders will be forced to close shop to allow for the spacing.
Further, Natembeya has said that taxi cabs will only be allowed to carry one passenger saying that those who will bend the directive to reap more on their business will be arrested and the cars impounded
He has said that they will start making arrests of touts who idle at matatu terminus saying that those who have isolated cases that they must be in town will be spared but crowding will be fiercely dealt with by the law enforcers to encourage people to lock themselves at home
Riftvalley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya flanked by members of the regional emergency response committee addressing media on measures taken over COVID-19.
Riftvalley Regional Security and emergency response Committee has ordered the closure of all bars to avert gatherings an exposure and combat the spread of corona virus.
Addressing media in Nakuru after holding a 2-hours meeting with County Commissioners from all the regional 14 counties,Rifvalley regiona commissioners George Natembeya said they are acting as per the national directive orders to ensure safety of the people.
While noting that in the recent past such orders have not been adhered to by the Bar owners,the Regional Commissioner was categorical that this time round they will use all the mechanisms to ensure adherence.
He said the measure is not aimed at harming any business but just to ensure no member of the public is at risk as far as corona virus is concerned.
“All bars stand closed with immediate effect.The licensing and liquor acts will be used to enforce the same” he said.
Acciording to Natembeya,Regional Security and emergency response Committee is on alert over the Corona virus.
He added that several meetings have been held to ensure the national directives are implemented at grassroot.
While noting that Riftvalley region is vast bordering owing to the fact that it borders countries that have confirmed cases of Corona virus,the RC said the region is therefore at high risk hence take nothing to chance.
In line with this,the Regional committee has also vowed to ensure minimal human interaction while affirming that indeed all schools are shut.
The RC has however warned parents and teachers who re doing tuition secretly contrary to government’s directive.
“We can confirm that all schools are shut and we shall ensure no tuition takes place secretly”
In addition,churches and mosques will not be allowed to operate.
The Regional Commissioner also stating that there will be no Livestock markets in operation especially those in Counties such as Narok that are on the border.
The other measure in place is that prisons’ visit are banned with isolation directive being implemented to aver exposure.
Already the committee has confirmed that isolation wards in all the 14 counties are in place.
However,Natembeya noted that there is still a challenge of bed capacity an issue he said should be addressed though exploring other ways of isolation.
The Regional Committee has also discouraged members of the public form unnecessary travels to rural areas.
“Those trying to travel from the 14 counties to rural areas should know that they are risking the lives of others too and this should be discouraged” he said.
The RC also cautioning members of the public form being hostile to those who have arrived in the country from abroad.
He noted that there has been a challenge in Riftvalley region moreso in Nandi and Kericho where members of the public have been h.
“Let us not be hostile to them,rather report to the office of the chief for action.We have plans in place where Nyumba kumi clusters will assist us in identifying those who have travelled back from abroad” said Natembeya.
On matters sanitation and hygiene,the RC revealed that they have agreed with the Rifvalley Water
water authority that no water services shall be cut.
While noting that hygiene is key in fighting the spread of this disease,Natembeya has assured Riftvalley locals that water services will be supplemented.
Meanwhile,hotels in Riftvalley have been urged to ensure they have records for those spending nights.
“Some hotels are not adhering to that but this time round we are going to enforce”
Then Regional Emergency response committee has vowed to ensure more sensitization on the corona virus.
Natembeya once again commending the media for the same adding that chiefs will continue to do door to door sensitization since barazas have been banned too.
He also commend Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital-Eldoret for the support of training chiefs on the same.
The committee has also appealed to medical practitioners who had gone for further studies in all the 14 counties to come back to assist in this issue.
