Fears of spread as cases of cholera now rise to 20 in Naivasha

The number of cholera cases in Naivasha has hit 20. Fears are emerging that the number could rise due to lack of resources to contain the outbreak.

Incidentally, all the cases are from the sprawling Kihoto estate, which borders Lake Naivasha and is home to hundreds of flower farm workers.

This came as details emerged that efforts to contain the outbreak were poorly funded by the county government.

According to a junior officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, the number of the cases could rise due to lack of resources.

The officer said in the past, Naivasha had never recorded cholera outbreaks but this had become the norm due to poor funding and lack of committal from the county government.

“There are enough personnel in the sub-county to deal with the outbreaks but currently, there is no funding, meaning that we are fighting a losing battle,” said the officer.

The officer said on Saturday, three patients, including two minors from Kihoto, had been admitted at the Naivasha Sub-county Referral Hospital with cholera symptoms.
“Since the outbreak, we have recorded 15 patients with cholera-like symptoms and most of them have been confirmed as positive,” said the officer.

 Contain Outbreak

Speaking earlier, Health Chief Officer Samuel Mwaura said they had launched a disinfection exercise to contain the outbreak.

He said plans were underway for disinfection in the estate as well as offering medication to all the residents.
“Water consumed in Kihoto comes from these shallow boreholes and we have embarked on the process of treating them,” he said.

He attributed the recent cases to person-to-person transmission and consumption of water from boreholes that were drilled next to shallow wells in the sprawling estate.

Former Naivasha MP John Mututho lashed out at the county government, saying it had failed in its duty to control the outbreak.

The National Authority for the Campaign against Alcohol and Drug Abuse Chairman said it was a big shame that in the 21st century, people were dying from cholera, which is associated with poor hygiene.

“Some years back, Nakuru was the cleanest town in the region but years down the line, people are dying from cholera and this is embarrassing,” he said.