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Crowded Slums Pose Challenge as Kenya Braces for Coronavirus

Mohammed Yusuf

   NAIROBI - Kenyan authorities reported three new coronavirus cases
   Wednesday -- a couple from Spain and a Burundian who came from the
   United Arab Emirates. The country now has a total of seven cases.

   No cases have been reported in Nairobi's Kibera section yet, but
   residents of the vast slum are concerned as the crowded living quarters
   would make it difficult to fight the deadly virus if it begins to
   spread there.

   Hezbon Kodek, who lives alone in a single room in Kibera, says poor
   hygiene compounds the problem.
   "We have a pit latrine, but the neighbors -- we are more than 100 rooms
   sharing one toilet," he said. "It's a bit complex. And more so you find
   that the water, there is a problem with water. Sometimes on Fridays
   there is no water. It's a bit complex."

   Sylvester Okoth, a 33-year-old father of two, lives in a single room
   with his family. He says they are trying to do everything possible to
   be safe from the virus.

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