Kitui Governor Charity Ngilu is distributing free face masks to stop the spread of coronavirus.
On Monday, Ngilu gave the pieces to boba boda operators, mama mbogas and hawkers at their stands across Kitui town. The masks are produced by the county-owned Kitui County Textile Centre (Kicotec).
Ngilu visited traders at Kalundu, around AIC Township Church, Total, near the Kitui assembly and the Catholic cathedral as well as the area around Naivas stores.
The governor also distributed the masks to all cobblers and matatu and bus crews at the Kitui town main terminus.
She said the wearing masks is preventive as the traders and riders interact with many people.
“We know these people interact with so many people in their daily quest to earn an honest living. That is why we have targeted them as our first point of call to prevent them from contracting coronavirus,” the governor said.
Kicotec is currently making 30,000 masks daily, with the personnel operating on a 24-hour basis on day and night shifts.
The factory got government approval to produce the masks.
The government has advised all Kenyans to wear face masks while in public places.
Late last week, Health Chief Officer Richard Muthoka told the media that the county was considering imposing compulsory wearing of face masks by all residents.
Muthoka said Governor Ngilu’s administration was mulling taking the action to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Edited by Henry Makori
