Police canteen closed as cholera cases hit 92

Five more police officers are among those hospitalised with cholera symptoms as the number of cases rose to 92 on Monday following a fresh outbreak in Nairobi.

The county government closed down the Nairobi Area police canteen after 83 police officers out of 430 residing at the Multi Media University hostels in Kajiado were infected after eating at the canteen.

The officers were drawn from various parts of the country for deployment  ahead of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the presidential election petition  last Friday. On Monday, the number rose by over 30 and those affected were admitted to various hospitals in Kajiado County.

City Hall closed down the canteen suspected to be the source of the contaminated food.

Speaking at Sinai Hospital where 47 police officers were admitted, Health secretary Cleopas Mailu said the officers were infected after eating contaminated food.

“Most of them are living at Multi Media University carrying out duties in Nairobi. Rapid tests have confirmed that we are dealing with cases of cholera, but more tests are being undertaken at laboratories,” said Dr Mailu. He said that the officers were stable.

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Dr Mailu added that the hospital had run out of medical supplies but the Nairobi county government had reinforced them through the Kenya Medical Supplies Agency.

“It is overwhelming for such a small institution, they have done fairly well. They have exhausted their supplies but the Nairobi County has been able to supply them with drugs and solutions to serve them well,” said Dr Mailu.

He said that the hospital had been quarantined as the affected officers have occupied all the rooms including the maternity ward and children’s wards.

“We have closed off this hospital from the public, we will be here for some days. After that we will fumigate and disinfect it then they will go on with their business,” said Dr Mailu.

He said that Nairobi Women’s Hospital, Rongai Branch, had received 33 patients and Kenyatta National Hospital 12. He attributed the cholera outbreak to poor hygiene and food handling, adding that the canteen had outsourced the food.