Two hawkers quarantined after sneaking into hospital’s COVID-19 ward to sell bread, eggs to patients

Machakos County, Kenya Health officers have managed to trace and place under mandatory quarantine two hawkers, who last Monday, July 20 sneaked into the Kangundo Level 4 Hospital to sell bread and eggs to COVID-19 patients.

Machakos County CEC for Health Dr. Ancent Kituku told K24 Digital that the two were traced to Kangundo Market, and ordered to self-isolate in their houses for a period of at least 14 days, failure of which, they will face the law.

Dr. Kituku said the hawkers’ samples were taken to Machakos Level 5 Hospital laboratory for COVID-19 testing. The two, however, had not exhibited any symptoms of coronavirus disease, said the county Health minister.


Dr. Kituku further stated that though the two hawkers managed to access the Kangundo Level 4 Hospital premises, they did not succeed in selling their merchandise to isolated patients.

Kangundo Market chairperson, Chris Kyalo, told K24 Digital that it was unfortunate that COVID-19 patients isolated at the Kangundo medical facility would sneak out of the hospital to buy food from hawkers within the market.

“We are extremely concerned about our health. Kangundo Level 4 Hospital should improve its security,” said Kyalo.