Evacuation of French Nationals Diagnosed with Covid-19 in Kenya Sparks Row

The French Embassy in Nairobi is at loggerheads with Kenya’s Health Ministry after it reportedly evacuated French nationals who tested positive for Covid-19.

The embassy is said to have flown to Paris 10 French citizens who were diagnosed with the virus in Kenya without involving the ministry, according to a report by Daily Nation.

A 57-year-old Frenchman who arrived in the country on March 9th on an Air France flight was the first to be evacuated from Nairobi to France last month. He tested positive for the virus in Kwale County and was later airlifted to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi for specialized care.

The row between the French Embassy and officials from Kenya’s Health Ministry escalated after nine more French nationals were evacuated last week, Daily Nation reported. The nine are among a group of Europeans who left the country aboard a KLM flight.

This made Kenya feel that the French government is frustrating lockdown orders. The infected French nationals had either arrived in Kenya recently or came in contact with Covid-19 patients.

Further to this, it was reported that two French nationals were found to be suffering from Covid-19 in a private facility but were not be included in the official infections tally since the French embassy refused to have the tests confirmed in a government facility.

The two allegedly escaped and took refuge at the French Chancery, making it impossible to take samples.

In addition, French nationals in Kenya are accused of disregarding preventive measures, thus putting themselves and others at risk of infection.

“The director-general has been in talks with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in an effort to find a solution to this because it is a delicate balancing act for Kenya as it tries to abide by international regulations while containing this virus,” a source from the Ministry of Health told Daily Nation.

When contacted for comment on the matter, the French Embassy refuted the claims. “The Embassy of France respects Kenyan directives regarding coronavirus and has no comment about these allegations,” a spokesperson told the publication.