Police have warned Kenyans not to accept masks from strangers after establishing that some criminals were taking advantage of the coronavirus fears to rob citizens at their most vulnerable time.
Busia Deputy Commissioner Joseph Onyango raised the alarm after a number of incidents along the Busia-Kisumu highway where criminals were reported to have donated masks to travelers, who then fall asleep and lose their valuables while on transit to their destination.
Onyango made the revelation during a joint press briefing with Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi that was preceded by a closed-door meeting held at the Busia County Referral Hospital and sought to come up with ways of fighting the coronavirus epidemic.
Kenya has so far recorded seven confirmed cases of the disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that if you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected coronavirus infection.
Further, WHO advises that those who show symptoms of the virus should wear masks to prevent transmission to other healthy persons.
Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.
It is paramount that you know how to use the mask and dispose of it properly as it can easily cause an infection if not properly used.
