Schools in Thika sub-county have been put on high alert following Cholera outbreak at Thika main prisons.
Some 38 inmates at the prison have tested positive for the waterborne and extra virulent disease. The situation has however been contained according to the Officer in Charge Karani Limanya who said that the number has reduced to nine.
“Currently we have two severe cases undergoing treatment at Thika Level Five Hospital and seven others are recuperating well at the prison facilities. Through intervention of our medics we have managed to contain the situation,” Limanya said.
Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a who donated a 10,000-liter water tank s to the correctional facility on Monday said that all schools in the sub-county as well as residents should remain highly cautious and ensure high levels of sanitation so as to curb contracting and spreading the malady.
Ng’ang’a noted that at some point, the inmates, who are remanded at the correctional facility, will be released and reunite with the community noting that it’s prudent for residents to take requisite precautionary measures so as to combat the disease.
“We came here to answer the distress calls following the outbreak. The first remedy or step to combat this disease is by observing high standards of hygiene including thorough washing of hands. We want to ensure that the facility has enough water storage to enhance sanitation for our brothers and sisters who are being corrected and rehabilitated here,” Ng’ang’a said.
The MP noted that her office has engaged the area water service provider; Thika Water and Sewerage Company (THIWASCO) to ensure that the region is supplied with adequate water so as to enable residents observe and maintain hygiene.
“We want our homes and schools to have an all-time flow of clean and sufficient water so that our people and our children can be able to effectively maintain high levels of cleanliness and especially washing hands before eating. Again we want our people to have clean water for consumption in their homes,” she said.
She also said that her office will work together with education stakeholders within the constituency to ensure that all schools have adequate water storage facilities and that there’s a clear sanitation programme for the sake of learners’ health.
Kiambu County Assembly Deputy Speaker, John Njiru, said that the county public health officers are on standby and that requisite measures have been taken to curb the spread of the disease.
Njiru who doubles as the Hospital Ward MCA in Thika town also noted that water provision to homes, schools and public spaces within Thika town has been scaled up.
By Kamau Njoroge
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