March 19, 2024

Governor’s Residence Hit by COVID-19 Pandemic

Tana River Governor Godhana Dhadho flanked by his staff. Image: (Courtesy)

By GURACH WORRA

Email: thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com
Some 37 people among them 10 workers at the Tana River County Governor Dhadho Godhana’s official residence have been quarantined on suspicion of contracting COVID 19 pandemic in Hola Township. 
Those in isolation are six security aides and cooks working at the governor’s residence but it is not yet clear whether the Governor is one of the victims of the dreaded coronavirus disease. 
Sources from the County headquarters indicate that Governor Godhana was out of station, probably in Nairobi, while the County first lady whereabouts are unknown after she disappeared from her official residence. 
Out of the six security aides is senior sergeant Haron Gego and official driver Bahola Duko together with two cooks who were forced to stop working after their sample results turned positive on COVID 19.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of the staff members said he/she had taken his/her beddings at one of the rooms as a way to quarantine for 14 days. 
Contacted for comments, the County secretary Joshua Jarha did not confirm or deny the reports only saying the residence had been declared out of bounds. 
“The health status of a person is personal issue and I should not be drawn into rumours circulating in the County,” he added. “I don’t want any Wamba FM here what I said nobody should go there anymore and even me I am closing my office tomorrow because things are not right!”
Admitting many people have been affected, Mr Jarha, however, did not say how many staff members had been isolated saying that was the work of health officials. 
“Let people stop going to the Governor’s state house from now and I have instructed Tana River people not attempt to go there because the governor is not there. Why are they interested to visit where the owner is absent?” he posed on phone interview. 
OUT OF BOUNDS
The Governor’s residence has been out of bounds to visitors following the County secretary’s instructions after which all staff members including cleaners, drivers and security guards went under thorough testing. 
This came in the wake of government spokesman Cyrus Oguna’s impromptu visit in Tana River, a month ago, to look into the health status of the County where he interacted with government officials and media personnel at the Governor’s official home. 

Government spokesman Cyrus Oguna. Image: (Courtesy)

When reached for comments, the County director of information Kofa Murenje said he had been instructed not to step into the Governor’s compound due to the emergency of new cases. 
Governor Godhana has been away in Nairobi for the last two weeks and this has sparked speculations over his long silence and health status.
At the same time, unconfirmed reports indicate some of the victims were rounded at a hotel in Hola by security agents after they refused to quarantine at the Mau Mau Secondary School and KMTC facilities following the disclosure of their COVID 19 status. 
The County’s first case was reported at Hola County Referral Hospital two month ago after a retired health officer died on COVID 19 leaving a wife battling for the same.
Efforts to get in touch with the health CECM Javan Bonaya on phone went unanswered. 
Edited by Mwakera Mwajefa


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