How Covid-19 has disrupted everyday life in Nakuru

Royal Group Company Director Yussuf Hassanali (right) donating assorted food stuff to residents of Kaptembwo Slums in the outskirts of Nakuru town. [Kipsang Joseph/Standard]

Since the first two cases of coronavirus disease were confirmed in Nakuru two weeks ago, life in the county has changed drastically.

Following confirmation of the Covid-19 cases on April 2, Nakuru joined the list of counties that have reported cases of the disease, forcing the county government to implement tough measures in a bid to curb spread of the virus.

Residents are now struggling to conduct themselves in accordance to this new social order. 

From going to the market, church, clubbing, eating out and sale of alcohol to boarding a matatu, these everyday mundane tasks have either been restricted or banned.

Governor Lee Kinyanjui’s administration has closed markets and restricted movement of boda boda and tuk tuks within the central business district.

The main Wakulima market has been relocated to Afraha Stadium Annex while the main matatu terminus has been moved to the former Kenya Railways staff quarters near Bondeni Estate. 

Other matatu termini have been moved near the Nakuru County Mortuary – popularly known as Kwa Jack.

Further on Tuesday last week, the national and the county governments deployed security personnel and public health officers to man the border points.

That was in compliance with a directive issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta on movement in and outside the Nairobi Metropolitan as additional measures to curb the spread of Covid-19.

Residents have now woken up to the grim reality of the significant changes they have to make to stay safe but also meet their obligations at the same time.

“As the threat of the virus remains imminent, we have been forced to make abrupt lifestyle changes. Some are counterproductive and others guided by the county and national governments. But most residents are still ill-prepared,” says Sangale ole Nasieku, a resident and a civil rights activist.

For most residents, public transport is the only means of travel. Steve Muli, the operator of Molo Line Prestige shuttle says the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health for PSVs to curb the spread of the virus have affected how they have been doing business.

“We now carry fewer passengers and ask them to sanitise their hands before boarding and disembarking the vehicles.

Doing business

“However, as we have learned from countries like China where public transport was temporarily shut down at the height of the Covid-19, this move paid off,” Mr Muli said.

He says although their daily earnings have dipped by almost 50 per cent, they have been able to play their role as PSV operators to curb the spread of the virus.

Covid-19 has also brought a shift in the way residents shop.

Retailers including Tuskys, Gilani’s and Naivas supermarkets are limiting the number shoppers allowed into their stores so as to maintain the social distancing guidelines.

Some retailers are taking limits even further. Nakuru-based Rivanas has restricted access to their stores to children under 16.

An official who spoke to the Sunday Standard said the supermarket chain plans to start checking shoppers and employees temperatures across the company’s stores.

And in Nakuru town starting April 6, all customers and employees were ordered to wear masks inside grocery, restaurants and pharmacies.

On Monday, the County Executive Committee member in charge of health Zakayo Gachuki detailed the new regulations.

Dr Gachuki stressed the new recommendation from the Ministry of health and coronavirus task force pertained to non-medical, cloth face coverings and do not replace current social distancing guidance.

“This is about me protecting you and you protecting me.

“If people voluntarily choose to wear a mask, they’re wearing it to protect their neighbours,” Gichuki said.

Some parents have resorted to home schooling after closure of all learning institutions.

Jane Wanyoike, a mother of one, has partnered with two neighbours to hire a teacher for their five children. 

Wanyoike, a resident of Naka Estate has converted one of her bedrooms into a temporary classroom where the other parents have bought chairs and tables for their children to learn.

“They are all KCPE candidates this year and we agreed that their learning should not be hampered by the virus. We pay two teachers who come in the morning,” she said. 

Churches and other places of worship have no option but to adapt to the changes until the situation is contained.

In the past two Sundays, churches turned to technology to spread the gospel. Some have conducted mass using local radio stations and others have beamed Sunday services on television.