The government through the State Department for Public Health has taken effective measures after a mysterious object was found in Makueni County on Monday, December 30, 2024.
In a statement on Saturday, January 4, 2025, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Health and Professional Standards in the Ministry of Health Mary Muthoni said the ministry has deployed a multi-agency team to respond to the incident.
Some of the specialized teams deployed include Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) experts, Environmental Health specialized, Emergency Disaster Response personnel, Risk Communication experts and the Public Health Emergency Operations Center (PHEOC).
Apart from the deployment, the PS stated that they are working with the community health promoters and local authorities to enhance risk communication and address public concerns.
“In response to this incident, a multi-agency team was swiftly deployed to the site. Security personnel cordoned off the area and engaged the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), Kenya Space Agency (KSA), Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), and the Ministry of Health (MoH) to coordinate the response and ensure public safety.
“Actions Underway Intensified public awareness campaigns on short and long-term health impacts of potential chemical hazards. Provision of mental health and psychosocial support for affected communities. Strengthening national preparedness and response capacity for CBRN incidents,” PS Muthoni said.
Public advisory
In addition, the PS cautioned members of the public to avoid the area where the object was found and refrain from handling any unknown materials.
“Public Advisory While preliminary assessments suggest no immediate threat to public health, communities are encouraged to report any health concerns or unusual environmental changes to local health authorities. The Ministry remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Kenyans and will provide updates as investigations progress,” she added.
Mysterious object
On Monday, December 30, 2024, an unidentified object fell from the sky and landed in Mukuku Village, Mukuku Sub-location. Nduluku Location, Waia Division, Mbooni East Sub-County, Makueni County.
According to Muthoni, the preliminary findings of the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) on December 31, 2024. suggested that the object, a metallic ring approximately 2.5 meters in diameter and weighing 500 kilograms, may have originated from a space launch vehicle such as a rocket.
Press Release: The State Department for Public Health has acted decisively to address a mysterious object found in Makueni County. Read more: 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/tcP6fJEFRJ
— Ministry of Health (@MOH_Kenya) January 4, 2025
