Mombasa traders get jabs in fight against cholera spread

More than 2,000 traders have been vaccinated against communicable disease such as cholera after an outbreak of the waterborne disease killed three people in Mombasa slums.

The unlicensed traders who are selling food and water thronged the Public Health Department for the vaccination and acquisition of medical certificates before county askaris start a major crackdown on unlicensed food vendors and hotels operating in the Coast city.

The traders complained of huge charges imposed by the county for the crucial medical certificate and injections.

CHARGES

“I have a hotel with five workers. Where do I get money to pay for their medical certificate? We are urging Governor Hassan Joho to reduce the cost. I have paid Sh2,500 for my certificate and injection,” said 65-year-old businessman Kazungu Kai.

Ms Farhia Suleiman said last year, traders were charged Sh700 for the same certificate.

“What has changed? This is unfair. My husband is blind I am the one who fends for the family but then the county wants to take the little that I make,” said Ms Suleiman.

CHOLERA SPREAD

The disease has spread to Kwale and Kilifi counties with 25 patients already admitted to public hospitals in Mombasa.

The cholera cases are as a results of food and water contamination.

Majority of the cases were reported in Jomvu and Changamwe sub-counties.

Cholera vaccine is used in adults to help prevent the disease.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) Secretary-General Abbas Gullet has linked heaps of uncollected garbage choking most counties to frequent cholera outbreaks.

OUTBREAKS

He said 18 counties have had cholera outbreaks since January.

Mr Gullet said there are serious health issues facing the country that need interventions.

County governments have bigger challenges since health is a devolved function.

“We either get our act together or we stop. When you have your disagreements and fighting, it’s the mwananchi who suffers,” he said.

For the last four months, KRCS has been running cholera treatment centres in Nairobi’s Mukuru slums and Mama Lucy hospitals with funding from Unicef.

Speaking during a press briefing at Travellers Beach Hotel in Mombasa, Mr Gullet said county officials get upset whenever KRCS gives a helping hand to residents in eradicating the diseases.

GOVERNORS BLAMED

Mr Gullet blamed governors for failing to address crucial health and environmental issues that have contributed to the surge of infectious diseases such as cholera.

“They can’t do it but when we do it it becomes an issue. Governors should come up with serious issues. If you look at almost all the 47 counties, heaps and heaps of garbage are pilling. We cannot even collect trash,” lamented Mr Gullet.

He cited Nairobi and Mombasa as among counties with heaps of uncollected garbage.

Collecting and disposing garbage has been a big challenge in Mombasa.

Last week, Governor Joho ordered Environment executive member, Dr Godffrey Nato, to clear the garbage choking the city.