Kananu, County officials get Covid-19 vaccination

By Erick Ludeya

Nairobi Deputy Governor Ann Kananu received her first dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccination at City Hall, Nairobi.

She joined the list of key leaders who have come out to receive the vaccination in public as a way of boosting confidence among ordinary citizens.

The vaccination exercise also saw a section of the county executives and chief officers among other county officials vaccinated.

Speaker of the Nairobi City County Assembly Benson Mutura and the journalists present were also vaccinated in what could give city residents more confidence to turn out in large numbers for vaccination.

The exercise came two days after the Deputy Governor announced closure of all non-essential offices beginning Monday 29 March 2021, for a period of one month.

Before she received her dose, Kananu said that she was upbeat and confident, noting that it was important for Nairobi residents to get vaccinated.

“I feel confident and ready to be vaccinated and I want to encourage Nairobi residents to turn out in large numbers and take the Covid-19 vaccination,”

She called on Nairobi residents to continue adhering to the Covid-19 protocols from the Ministry of Health. “I want to urge all residents to keep observing the guidelines set by regularly washing hands, keeping social distance and wearing of masks,”

The other senior county officials who received the jab include Acting County Secretary Dr.Jairus Musumba,public works CEC Vesca Kangogo and her counterpart for Roads and Transport Mohamed Dagane.

Nairobi County Acting County Secretary Dr. Jairus Musumba receives his dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on 29th March 2021 at City Hall.

In Nairobi, residents can receive the vaccination at Mama Lucy, Pumwani, and Mbagathi,Kenyatta National Hospital, Mathari Hospital, Memorial Hospital, Moi Airbase Hospital, National Spinal Injury Hospital, and Kenyatta University Teaching and Referral Hospital.

Private and faith-based health facilities selected for vaccination include St. Francis Community Hospital, Jamaa Mission Hospital, Coptic Hospital, Nairobi Hospital, Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital, Mater Hospital, and Aga Khan Hospital.

Public Works CEC Vesca Kangogo takes her Covid 19 vaccination jab at City Hall on 29th March 2021.

In her statement over the closure of a section of offices at City Hall, Kananu said that City Hall has continued to be a Red Zone hence the need to take stern action. She also said that there was a need to consider reviewing the work environment and daily interactions.

“It is important to note that we consider the safety of our employees and customers as core to our operations. It is in this regard that we need to consider reviewing our work environment and daily interactions, ‘’

Some of the departments that will remain shut include the youths and sports department, Agriculture, section of the Human Resource Department and part of the ICT department.

Nairobi County continues to produce the highest numbers of Covid-19 cases and as of 25 March, 2021, the county accounted for 57.7% of the nation’s total.