Ugunja market in Siaya county has been closed after a cholera outbreak that has killed five people in the past two weeks.
Another 94 have been hospitalised.
Ugunja subcounty medical officer of health Bernard Onguche said the decision was reached after a meeting with stakeholders.
Addressing the press in his office yesterday, he said the market has only one toilet. Onguche said there is no clean water and the drainage is poor.
He said the market will remain closed until safe water, toilets and other sanitary facilities are provided.
Onguche said a dumping site near the market will be moved.
“Cholera is a social issue. It cannot be treated with any drugs, apart from prevention by using clean water, observing personal hygiene and good sanitation.”
Onguche said the situation will be contained.
He said they have seven patients at Ugunja Subcounty Hospital and four at Rangala Hospital.
“In the past 24 hours we have not received any patient, a good sign we are winning the war on cholera,” Onguche said.
He said they have reached out to schools and institutions to create awareness about the outbreak.
Ugunja assistant county commissioner Paul Wanyonyi said public health guidelines should be observed.
“We have teamed up to ensure our people are safe by following health officers’ instructions,” he said.
Wanyonyi said vendors selling food on the roadside will be prosecuted.
Traders have accused the county government of neglecting the market.
Businesswoman Catherine Atieno said the Health department should find an alternative solution, not cut their source of income.
