Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua has called off his countrywide "listening tours" indefinitely due to the spike in Covid-19 cases.
"I am postponing my nationwide listening tours due to the rising Covid-19 numbers until the situation improves," Mutua said at the weekend.
The Maendeleo Chap Chap leader is eyeing the presidency after the conclusion of his second and final term as governor in 2022.
He has been touring the country, campaigning and "taking note of Kenyans' needs and problems".
Mutua urged other leaders to also halt public meetings and lead by example - wearing masks and keeping distance.
The governor said "wananchi mimic how we carry ourselves because they believe we are privy to more information. If it looks like there is nothing to worry about, the wananchi will behave accordingly, placing themselves in danger".
He began his nationwide tours early last month in Mwala, Machakos, and he has so far been to Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Nyeri, Laikipia, Mombasa and Kilifi.
The governor held a minimum of two 'listening tours' in each county. He said he had received "excellent feedback from wananchi" for his novel way of reaching out to them.
On Sunday, Matungulu MP Stephen Mule urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to cancel all political campaigns and save Kenyans from the "second wave of coronavirus".
He reminded Uhuru that he swore to protect Kenyans and had the responsibility to ensure they were safe as much as possible.
Mule called on the Ministry of Health to give guidelines on how to deal with the second wave of the virus.
"We should get clear guidelines from the Ministry of Health on how to deal with these rising numbers. All political rallies and social gatherings should stop with immediate effect."
The legislator feared that the country faced a dire situation since most hospitals are already overwhelmed.
"We must do massive targeted testing to establish how extensive the spread of the disease is and know how to deal with it," he said.
- mwaniki fm
