Kwale county commissioner Joseph Kanyiri has appealed to residents to boycott political gatherings to help control Covid spread.
This follows a surge in infection believed to have been prompted by events organised by politicians and state officials.
The county has recently witnessed an increase in political gatherings. Election campaigns have begun in earnest.
Kanyiri said most leaders fail to adhere to Covid-19 protocols, thus putting lives at risk.
"The figures are shooting up because politicians have turned a deaf ear to the public health directives. That's why I ask locals to take personal responsibilities and keep off from such meetings," he said.
Kinango and its environs lead in infection. More than 600 cases have so far been recorded since the last county health department official press update in March.
Msambweni Hospital Annex unit is slowly being overstretched as Covid-19 patients flock to the facility.
According to sources aware of the goings-on, some Covid patients are forced to seek treatment in other county health facilities.
Kanyiri warned of a severe outcome if politicians and residents won't take the necessary precautions. A week ago, he put on notice religious places and markets for continuously flouting public health regulations.
Public service vehicles, tuk-tuks and boda bodas were also included for carrying excess passengers.
On Wednesday, the virus case load in Kenya stood at 199,941 after 1,006 new Covid-19 cases were confirmed. Human rights activists have also accused politicians of the surging infection.
Human Rights Agenda officer Kashi Jermaine said politicians have been promoting banned disco matangas and wedding bands. The discos were banned to curb teen pregnancies and contain the coronavirus.
Jarmaine said county leaders are running to police stations each day to bail out culprits caught violating Covid rules, hence spreading the contagion.
Kwale Human Rights Network officer George Jaramba said it is high time the government took serious actions against politicians breaking public health protocols.
"Anyone going contrary to the law must bear the consequences of their actions and be penalised," he said.
