MPox is here with us! About two weeks ago, the first case of Mpox was reported in Nakuru.

For many, the announcement of this disease has brought back memories of the Covid-19 pandemic. The wearing of masks while constantly sanitizing our hands and maintaining social distance amidst heavy anxiety was not fun.

In the midst of the pandemic, Nakuru’s transport centre was one of the most affected leading up to the removal of the matatu stages from the city centre to its outskirts, in a bid to ease congestion of people.

Keen notice was also put on Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) operators notoriously known for carrying excess passengers, hence beating the whole purpose of social distancing.

Now, with the Mpox virus, Mtaa Wangu took a look at the public transport system to find out if they were aware of the disease and whether they had implemented any sanitation measures in the vehicles.

We spoke to Alphonce Njoroge, a tout who plies the Free Area route who says he has heard of the virus and has personally taken measures to prevent himself from it.

However, he gives an interesting perspective as to how the virus should be tamed.

“Kwanza sisi watu tunaishi huko free area, nyani hutusumbua sana kwa hivyo serikali inafaa kutuangalia kwa makini ndio tuepukee hii magonjwa juu ni ya hizo nyani,” he says.

Moseti Ian, his colleague from the Shabab Sacco says that for him its business as usual and until the situation becomes dire, he sees no need to panic or take any unnecessary precautions.

“I do not think it is as serious as Covid, since so far I have not had a person who has died from the virus but we should take care of ourselves and follow the rules as stipulated,” he says.

For Charles Ndirangu, he says that for him seeing is believing otherwise in his opinion he sees this as just another ploy by the government to squander public funds.

“Mimi hadi nione mtu ameshikwa na hio ugonjwa siwezi amini iko,” he says.

A matatu plying the Nakuru-Sobea route carrying excess passengers.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

We got to board one of the matatu’s that ply the Nakuru-Sobea route and it was business as usual with the vehicle carrying excess passengers with no regard for any sanitization or any precaution.

Mungu chunga wanao.

Baboon jokes signify confusion around Mpox disease in Nakuru city

Author Spotlight

Bret Sanya