KENYA: Bishops Raise Alarm about Impact of Covid-19 on Truck Drivers and Vulnerable Populations
Rt. Rev. Virgilio PanteBishop of Maralal
Paschal Norbert
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) has expressed concern about the impact of Covid-19 on vulnerable populations including refugees, internally displaced persons, people on the move such as truck drivers and pastoralists, persons living on the streets, and people with mental illness.
In a statement read by the Bishop of Maralal Rt. Rev. Virgilio Pante during the Feast of Corpus Christi at the Holy Family Minor Basilica of Nairobi Archdiocese, Sunday, 14th, June 2020, the bishops state that there is a need to act upon the plight of truck drivers who in recent weeks have been stranded at various Kenyan borders due to Covid-19 restrictions.
“Truck drivers contribute immensely to the economic health of our country. The continual rise in numbers of truck drivers contracting COVID-19 indicates a gap in addressing their safety and health. Therefore, it is a matter of great concern to all of us. We appeal to the Government to urgently address the challenges the truck drivers, are facing in order to curb the rising spread of the virus,” Bishop Pante said.
Bishop Pante who is Chairman of the Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Seafarers, has lauded the efforts of philanthropists who are supporting street families who are said to be most affected by COVID-19, encouraging people of good-will to help them in every way possible.
“The people living on the streets in towns and those suffering from mental illness are in a more precarious situation, with a high risk of contracting, spreading, and being overwhelmed by Covid-19,” he said.
Bishop Pante said concerted efforts have also to be made in addressing the plight of internally displaced persons and refugees who live in congested places without proper facilities to deal with the surge in infection.
“The refugees and internally displaced people who reside in densely populated camps face a risk of contracting Corona-virus. We appeal that more deliberate mitigation measures be urgently implemented to protect them,” he said.
The Ordinary of who resides in Maralal appealed to government for more awareness raising efforts among nomadic communities, arguing that even though reported cases of Covid-19 among pastoralist communities are low, “there is a need for sensitization of the communities on Covid-19 and the preventive measures,” he implored.
The Church further urged Christians and people of goodwill to support Caritas Emergency Appeal 2020 by contributing in-kind and monetarily towards assisting those affected by floods, landslides in some parts of the country.
