Former Kakamega governorship aspirant Mabel Muruli succumbs to COVID-19

Mabel Muruli, who vied for the Kakamega gubernatorial seat in 2017, has succumbed to COVID-19.

Also Read: COVID-19 cases cross 52K mark as CS Kagwe warns on second wave

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said he learnt of her demise on Friday morning.

“I’ve learnt with shock and sadness the death of Mama Mable Muruli. Kakamega has lost its hard working, committed, courageous & humble daughter whose contribution towards the growth of our County will be missed. May God grant her family fortitude & strength to bear the loss,” he said on Twitter.

Her death comes a day after Kakamega County Chief of Staff Robert Sumbi also succumbed to COVID-19.

Sumbi, who once served as a County Executive Committee Member (CECM), died while undergoing treatment.

On Wednesday this week, the Kakamega county headquarters was shut down following reports that 57 health workers tested positive for the virus.

The spike in COVID-19 cases in Kakamega prompted the Governor to issue a directive that all county government workers undergo mandatory testing.

The alarm bells across the country are at their loudest with Kenya in the grip of an ugly upsurge of coronavirus cases.

On Thursday, the Ministry of Health reported October as Kenya’s worst ever since the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the country in March.

The number of infections in October stands at 14,000 with over 250 deaths.

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe said the second wave which has started in earnest could make or break the country’s battle against coronavirus with most Kenyans having dropped their guard.

“Numbers are going up. We are on a second wave. Private hospitals are already stretched out and the faith we have in our own public sector is wanting.Yesterday (Wednesday) positivity rate was at 15 per cent. This week alone 54 people have died. 14 have died today (Thursday) raising the death toll to 964,” he said during a Press briefing.