SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS AND MAPPING REPORT ON COVID-19 IN KILIFI COUNTY
Introduction
Kenya Community Support Centre (KECOSCE) is implementing this “Tushauriane Kilifi – Institutionalizing peace building and Countering Violent Extremism Project in Kilifi County, Kenya. The goal of the project is to contribute to reduction of cyclical natural resource, political conflicts and violent extremism in Kilifi County by December 2019. This project seeks to address intra and inter communal conflicts in Kilifi County through community awareness creation, capacity building, supporting of local peace structures and creating linkages with national and county governments as well as supporting enactment of policies and legislation with aim of improving community safety. The project targets the local communities (women, Youth, men, groups with special needs), county and national government agencies whose policies, financial and operational decisions impact positively on peace, cohesion and economic stability in the county.
Kilifi County conflict and security brief
The Kilifi County government has set aside Sh.75 million emergency funds to facilitate in setting up of four isolation centers for suspected cases of coronavirus. Jibana, Ganze, Msumarini and Gede health facilities will have isolation wards for suspected patients with others yet to be identified by the health department. The County has launched under the department of Health, a County Service COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Centre with a hotline number 0745984244, 0793277819 and 0794497578 operating for 24 hours to respond to local cases and create awareness on COVID-19. Also the county and other well-wishers are responding to the Presidential call to help those affected with the loss of livelihoods as a result of the pandemic.
Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi was on 3rd April 2020 arrested by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers in Mombasa. The DG was arrested for not isolating himself upon arrival from Germany on March 7, resulting in the spread of coronavirus to several people who came into contact with him. Mr. Saburi tested positive for coronavirus and was taken into forceful isolation according to the Ministry of Health. Locals resident in Kilifi County were angered with the situation and have vowed to revenge to the Deputy Governor. However Mr. Saburi argued that he never tested positive for COVID-19, therefore the government cannot continue forcing him into isolation. He submitted a medical report at the court that showed the deputy governor was tested three times and tested Negative for COVID-19.
The cancellation of international flights into the tourist town of Malindi has affected tourism activities in the area causing continued decline in the local economy and rise of conflict and juvenile gangs in the town. Several direct flights from Italy to Malindi have been cancelled following government orders as the global fears of the spreading the dreaded COVID-19 continues to haunt the world. The decline in economy in Malindi and Kilifi County has resulted into increased prevalence of youth drug abuse, gender-based violence and domestic abuse cases. Families have been abandoned due to low sources of income hence forcing people into personal survival tactics.