Face Masks Are Mandatory! - Kenya's Health Minister

This is an excerpt from the April 6th Kenya Gazette. "Users of public or private transport and public transport operators shall wear a proper mask that must cover the person’s mouth and nose and also maintain a physical distance of not less than one meter. A person who contravenes these sub-rules commits an offense."

In order to slow down the spread of COVID-19, the Kenyan government gazetted hefty penalties, including one for Sh20,000 or a six months’ imprisonment or both for Kenyans found breaking directives issued in line with the Public Health Act. So far 197 Kenyans are infected, 8 dead and 25 recovered.

After months of faltering on this issue and despite growing evidence that countries using masks for everyone, such as the Czech Republic, Thailand and Taiwan recorded fewer infections and deaths, the WHO finally revised its stand on masks. The body acknowledged that wearing medical masks could prevent/limit the spread of certain respiratory viral diseases, including Covid-19.

These regulations have elicited different reactions from Kenyans.

Stephen Mugweru a taxi driver says, " Fines, jail time and police harassment is wrong. Just provide the masks for free or make them affordable."

Nyaga Imanyara an IT specialist wonders," Should I wear a mask when I go for a walk? How about when driving and at home?"

Kilonzi Kangangi an electrician adds, " The Cabinet Secretary needs to come out clear on when one needs to wear one,Is it every time or when one is in a crowded place only?"

Bwire Andrex a watchman enquires, " How often should the masks be used or is it until it is worn out? Should they be washed? If so how often?"

Peter Wafula a shopkeeper says, "Where are they, If I find one that's of good quality I will buy."

Instead of waiting for Chinese imports and foreign aid, the Kenyan Health Cabinet Secretary declared plans by the government to identify mass producers of essential preventive garments. One such producer is Kitui County Textile Centre (KICOTEC) based in Kitui County that is producing 30,000 masks per day with efforts being made to scale up production to 100,000 and more pieces per day. The other is Eldoret-based Rivatex producing 8,400 face masks per day. The Shona EPZ Ltd has also been roped in and switched from making export products to manufacturing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE ) including masks for frontline health workers.

Mutahi Kagwe says masks shall be made available to the public,

"Every Kenyan is expected to have a mask and to those who shall not be lucky enough to receive them for free, they shall be readily available in shops at affordable prices."

This statement attracted comments from Kenyans such as Ogola Fredrick,
" Cartels will take free ones and then open shops to sell."

Charles Kinuthia says " The government has the obligation to provide them for free to every Kenyan."

The vulnerable communities in Kenya are torn between purchasing masks and food.

Gamari Lieli says these laws will be used to harass, " Poor Kenyans have to make a difficult choice between staying at home and going hungry or risking their lives to earn money for food. Masks are an added expense."

Celestin Wambua says "When I have enough to feed my children, then I will think about buying one."
Her sentiments are echoed by Kageni Njiru a vegetable vendor says, " Will I buy food or a mask? Are my children going to eat the masks. Let them provide them for free or else they will collect our bodies in our houses having died of starvation but wearing masks!"

The CEO for Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) Jonah Manjari says there's a ban on exportation of N95 and 3 ply surgical masks imposed on local manufacturers and distributors to ensure enough stock for the country as part of its emergency plan. This comes amid claims that Chinese middlemen were reported to have stockpiled face masks from Kenya and Tanzania for export to China where supplies had dwindled in the beginning of the year.

Lack of masks among other personal protective equipments is a concern with one nurse working Mbagathi Isolation center saying,

“Despite promises to supply proper and adequate PPEs for frontline health and care workforce, they are still not enough."

Another nurse at the same facility adds. "This fight needs ammunition to protect us, the patients and our families."

A doctor wonders aloud, " I never thought I would struggle to get an adequate number of face masks to enable me work comfortably. The N95 type are in short supply for us who need them yet I sees many ordinary citizens wearing them? Where are they getting them from?"

For fear of retribution, the nurses and doctors I interviewed requested not to be pictured nor quoted by name.

Experts are however warning that face masks must be worn in the proper manner, changed as often as the type is required, removed and disposed off properly for positive results. This practice combined with good hygiene and social distancing could proof a game changer in tackling COVID-19.