BY DANIEL KAMAU
The County Government of Lamu has rolled out bulk production of face masks that will be distributed to residents across the county.
This was announced by Lamu Governor Fahim Twaha.
The face masks will be done by students from Mpeketoni, Lamu, Witu, Kizingitini, Kiunga and Mokowe Technical and Vocational Education Centers (TVETs).
They are targeting to produce 100,000 masks in a move meant to empower and support these institutions.
The facemasks have been approved by Kenya Medical Supplies Agency.
“Lamu County has not recorded any COVID-19 case, but we need to be proactive in putting up preventive measures as advised by the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization. That is the reason we are producing masks in our TVETs and they will be distributed for free in all wards” said Governor Twaha.
The county has eleven TVETs.
. “We are grateful that our county TVETs have made Lamu to be among the few counties that are capable of producing their own masks” said Robert Karanja a bodaboda rider in Hindi.
Technical and Vocational Training Institute courses are free to all residents in Lamu.
The production of face masks which are being distributed through Ward Administrators within the county is also expected to get a boost after the supplementary budget of 157 Million was approved last week by the Assembly.
The funds will be used in a proactive and preparedness against COVID-19 that will include equipping hospitals, procure personal protective equipment, and supply relief food to over 30,000 families that have already been identified.
In a stake holder driven initiative dubbed ‘Lamu Tuko Chonjo’ The County has also been steadfast in keeping its locals safe by putting in place safety measures.
In the transport sector, the county government has already reduced all passengers carried in both boat and cars by 50% as a way of ensuring the required social distance is attainable.
Bodaboda riders have also been limited to carry one passenger at any given time in both mainland and island.
The move has been embraced by the operatives of these sector saying they know the dangers they would be posing for non-compliance.
The Department of Health has also established possible isolation centers in the Island, Mpeketoni and Faza sub district hospitals in case a COVID-19 case is reported.