The County Government of Uasin Gishu has affirmed its commitment to ensuring its health workers have sufficient Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), especially at this time they are leading the fight against Coronavirus pandemic.

According to the Chief Officer in the Health Services Dr Joseph Morogo, in the last three months, they have dispatched high-quality surgical face masks to health facilities twice, and also given protective gowns to all health workers taking care of Covid-19 patients in the isolation centres and those that have been going round to monitor patients who are on the Home-Based Care.

“We are in the process of dispatching PPEs for the third time. Currently, 40,000 surgical masks are being distributed to all health facilities across the county,” said Dr Morogo. The Chief Officer also noted that as a county, they have committed to providing N95 masks to 300 staff members working in high-risk areas.

He also said that they are in the process of procuring a consignment of N95 masks and extra surgical masks and other PPEs for the frontline and all the medical staff through the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KeMSA) “so that we will have enough when the current stock is depleted.”

Other measures the County Government of Uasin Gishu has taken to ensure the safety of health workers during this pandemic include deploying nursing officers who are aged 58 and above to low-risk areas. The County Government also procured a comprehensive health cover to all the staff members to supplement the NHIF cover.

“Whoever chooses to take leave is also encouraged. This will reduce their risk of exposure to Covid-19,” noted the Chief Officer. “Healthcare workers who have since tested positive have been treated and discharged at no cost. Fortunately, none of them succumbed to the illness,” he added.

In terms of medical staff promotion and career progression, the department has finalised a process of staff assessment that will lead to promotions to those who are due. “An agreement has been arrived at and very soon, the medical staff unions will sign a formal agreement that will specify the road map,” Said Edwin Bett the County Secretary.

A Covid-19 Pandemic Situation Report for The Uasin Gishu County dated October 16, 2020, prepared by the Health Department indicate that so far, the county has cumulatively collected and tested 33, 868 samples out of which 2,769 turned positive – out of which 243 health workers have tested positive – 42 of which are County Healthcare workers who have been treated for free.

The report further revealed that as a measure to mitigate Coronavirus pandemic, a training targeting all healthcare workers in public facilities has been conducted – with an aim of equipping them with knowledge and skills on how to detect and manage suspected and confirmed cases.

“So far, 749 frontline health care workers have been trained on case management with 1,097 out of the 153 staff being sensitized on Covid-19 and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC),” read part of the report.

Cumulatively, Uasin Gishu County has managed 1,946 cases, so far, out of which 412 were admitted in isolation centres – 186 in County Isolation Centers and 226 in private hospitals. 1,534 patients have been under the Home-Based Care Isolation.

As of December 16, 1,836 patients have fully recovered and discharged (360 from Health Facilities and 1,476 from Home Based Care Isolation). Currently, there are 92 active cases: 8 admitted in isolation Health Facilities and 84 under home-based care.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago now claims there is an attempt to use public servants to disrupt peace in the country.

Mandago, however, said they will not allow the plot to succeed as they vowed to continue to maintain peace amongst all Kenyans.

“We are not going back no matter what. We want to be people who preach and maintain peace,” Mandago said.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang echoed Mandago’s sentiments noting that recent move by DCI boss George Kinoti to revive 2007/08 post-election violence case should not be taken lightly.

“As leaders, we are not going to accept it. Let’s continue being cohesive,” Sang said.

Speaking during the farewell of retired senior assistant chief Johana Kisorio in Chepsaita, Turbo sub-county Mandago also warned administration officers against laxity in dealing with illicit alcohol.

“Illicit alcohol has caused a lot of problems in society. It has broken families and led to many schools dropouts among many others,” he said.

Mandago also thanked the retiring chief for the support in the fight against illicit brew in Ng’enyilel, Turbo sub- county.

He said the county has been working with the local administration assuring that they will continue collaborating to weed out illegal sell of the alcohol in the county.

Mandago also asked the youths to stop consuming ‘poisoned’ alcohol and instead “focus your synergy in other meaningful ventures.”

He further urged public servants to be honest in executing their obligations.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, EGH has expressed his displeasure following an announcement by the Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti that they had launched a probe into alleged threats to some of the victims of the 2007/08 post-election violence.

In a media briefing at the County Headquarters in Eldoret town, Mandago said for the 8 years he has been in charge of the County largely affected by the violence, he is not aware of any cases of threats to victims or individuals whose land is occupied forcefully.

The County boss said it was malicious for the DCI to revive such a sensitive case at the time that the country is heading into the 2022 general elections.

“I have been a Governor for 8 years and I am not aware of any citizen whose land has been occupied,” said Mandago who hit out at the DCI for not taking the issue seriously.

“There are matters we can joke around with and there are matters that need to be handled with the seriousness it deserves,” he added.

Mandago insisted that locals of Uasin Gishu County resolved to maintain peace and that they will continue to live together in harmony irrespective of their political, ethnic and religious background.

He also noted that “if indeed Kinoti is pursuing justice from citizens who have complained, I hope it is actual justice for people who have come out and complained over an issue that needs to be addressed.”

The County boss insisted that they are not ready for any disruption of the peace that the County has enjoyed.

He also called all the residents to be on the lookout for any suspicious activities that might be used to cause tension, divisions and revive old wounds.

“As citizens of this county, we want to be given peace. We don’t want our focus to be disrupted in this time of a pandemic,” he noted.

Mandago however said should there be any Kenyan who has been threatened, he/she has a right to follow due process for the matter to be handled in a court of law.