How slum dwellers in Kitale are coping with social distancing

Social distancing is one of the directive measures issued by
the government in the fight against Coronavirus, but to many slum dwellers,
this is just a vocabulary outside their language.

Mitume, one of the biggest slums in Kitale, is one place
where social distancing is dispensable to duelers.

In Mau Mau area, within Mitume, distance between houses is
barely noticeable –social distance and handwashing have become new phenomenon –with
water scarcity, poor drainage system, making it even impossible to keep
hygiene. Here, business is going on as usual.

“This place has many houses build close to each other, making
it difficult for residents to keep social distance. There is no water here and
when it is available, all in residents cannot get it. The drainage system is
poor, endangering residents hygienically,” said Mr. Peter Njuguna a resident of
Mau Mau slum.

Poor drainage system in Mitume slum, Kitale. Image|Courtesy

With the county government having issued a directive on
closure of open air markets, many businesses seem to be going on. The groceries
vendors claim that since many traders were moved out of the market they are
finding it difficult to acquire stock to sell and the little they have get
spoiling because they cannot be sale all since they have to close before the
curfew hours start.

“The situation has been bad since the suppliers were moved
out of Soko Mjinga Market, we have been having shortage since the Municipal
Market cannot be able to provide to all small vendors and we are always chased
out of the market by 8am to avoid congestion” said Mrs. Wanjiku.

Wanjiku Mwangi, business lady, displays part of spoiled veges. Image|Courtesy

The curfew on the other side has crippled many businesses in slums
across the country.

“Many slum dwellers live from hand to mouth. They are out
working during the day and as from7pm that is when they start selling. I have
been selling a lot during the day and the night but since the curfew directive
from the president I have been selling less and business seem to be going slow,”
Said Mrs. Irene Akelo.

With coronavirus cases in the country scaling, current tally
at 110, the Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe warn that the virus could spread
across the country, arguing Kenyans to keep social distance and maintain hygiene.

The residents are hopeful that the county should look into
the needs of the residents in the slums, with water being an essential
requirement in the fight against the pandemic, they hope the county and
NZOWASCO will make water supply available.