Saturday April 18, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - Nairobi’s Eastleigh market has been closed down by the government following the spread of COVID-19 cases in the estate which stand at about five though unconfirmed reports indicate the numbers could be way higher.
The Ministry of Health Saturday classified the Somali dominated market as a COVID-19 hotspot and ordered its closure. Police dispersed traders Saturday and ordered closure of all shops and malls in the
area.HOL has established that out of the 12 cases announced by the Minister of Health Mutahi Kagwe Friday, two are from Eastleigh. Two Somalis based in Eastleigh have since died of COVID-19 including a sheikh
who succumbed to the disease Friday.
Sources at the estate said the sheikh was among other sheikhs who were praying for the first deceased. Eastleigh is thickly populated market with little space for practical social distancing.
Another Somali area, Mandera county in north eastern Kenya has recorded six cases making it one of the most affected counties in the country.