Health Permanent Secretary Mary Muthoni has warned Kenyans against visiting the Makuku sub-location in Makueni where a foreign object landed from the sky on December 30.
In an official statement dated Saturday 4, Muthoni revealed that while preliminary investigations found that the object posed no immediate threat to public health, Kenyans should avoid visiting the area, going near it, or handling any unknown materials in the area.
“The Ministry of Health advises the public to avoid the area where the object was found and refrain from handling any unknown materials,” the PS said in the notice.
Additionally, the Ministry has directed the community around the area to stay vigilant and report any health concerns or unusual environmental changes to local health authorities.
A photo of the metallic ring that fell from the skies and landed in Mukuku in Makueni County, on Monday, December 31, 2024.
Eagle News
On December 30, witnesses from the Makuku village reported hearing a loud bang kilometers away, upon checking, they found a foreign object that had fallen down from the sky.
Although no injuries were reported, the incident has unearthed controversies and concerns over the circumstances surrounding the origin of the object and its effects on health and the environment.
The Kenya Space Agency clarified on December 31 that the object, a metallic ring measuring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing about 500 kilograms, fell from a space object.
To mitigate potential risks to public health, the Ministry has provided protocols for handling such objects and medical measures for suspected exposure to hazardous substances.
Currently, the Ministry is working with health promoters and local authorities to enhance risk communications and address public concerns.
When the object fell from the sky, residents immediately arrived at the scene, and images shared on social media showed them handling the foreign object barehanded, oblivious of any danger it might have exposed them to.
The residents have also been offered mental health and psychological support following the incident.
For future incidents, the Ministry is developing a comprehensive policy framework for managing chemical, biological, radiology, and nuclear hazards.
The PS has assured Kenyans that the Ministry is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Kenyans.
A photo collage of the metallic ring that fell from the skies and landed in Mukuku in Makueni County, on Monday, December 31, 2024.
KSA