Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Cleopa Mailu (blue tie) with other health officials checks on one of the affected police officer, September 4, 2017. [Photo|MoH]

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The government through the Ministry of Health has closed the Nairobi Area, police canteen and ordered all food handlers to be retested and issued with certificates afresh.Health Cabinet Secretary Dr Cleopa Mailu gave the orders, Monday, after visiting 92 police officers who are admitted in various hospitals in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County, after being infected with cholera, a disease which is mainly attributed to poor hygiene while handling food.He instructed Public Health Officers across the country to be vigilant in inspecting eateries.“Most of the patients are now stable and can be discharged within the next 24 hours,” said Dr Mailu.The affected police officers who were training at the Multimedia University are said to have eaten food outsourced from the Police Canteen in Nairobi area.The 92 police officers are admitted in various hospitals, 47 at Sinai Ongata Rongai, 33 at Nairobi women, Ongata Rongai and 12 at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

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"The Ministry of Health in partnership with the Nairobi county government has supplied medical commodities to the hospitals which are taking care of the victims and shall provide technical support to all counties to combat the disease," Mailu added.The CS urged the public to maintain hygiene in their homes and avoid eating at uninspected joints. He also directed the Nairobi county government to ensure provision of clean water for the public and proper sewage disposal to prevent further infections especially during this rainy season.The CS also acknowledged that the management of the disease had been constrained by the ongoing nurses strike and urged the nurses to resume duty as they negotiate the two contentious issues in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.He was flanked by the Director of Medical Services, Dr Jackson Kioko, the Director of Public Health Dr Kepha Ombacho, Nairobi County Executive, Dr Benard Muia and Kajiado Sub-County Health Officials.