China Dispels Claims of Mass Exodus of its Citizens from Kenya over Covid-19 Fears

The Chinese Embassy in Nairobi has refuted reports that its citizens are set to exit the country en masse over fears of contracting Covid-19. 

The Embassy through its spokesperson Xueqing Huang termed a report claiming that 400 Chinese nationals will leave the country on June 16th as fabricated.

“That newspaper report is fabricated. There is nothing like that. There is no passenger flight to China this week,” Xueqing said on Monday.

Over the weekend, Daily Nation reported that the 400 Chinese nationals obtained an order from High Court Justice Weldon Korir compelling the government to allow the leave the country amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Through lawyer Isaac Okinyo, Nation reported, the group told the court that they fear contracting Covid-19 in Kenya and that the country’s health system could be overwhelmed if the pandemic goes full-blown.

They further argued that their country has a superior healthcare system compared to Kenya, which gives them a chance to get a better medication should they be infected with the virus.

“They have underlying conditions and others just don’t feel safe here. All the isolation centers are full, testing, and contact tracing is a big deal to the Kenyan government. Let them just go back home as they so wish,” Daily Nation quoted lawyer Okiya.

The local daily also noted that the Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Wu Peng who has been recalled to Beijing was among the 400 people seeking to travel back home.

But Xueqing clarified that Ambassador Peng is returning to China following the expiry of his tenure in Kenya. She added that Chinese nationals have confidence in Kenya’s health system.

“China and Kenya maintained sound cooperation and mutual assistance in the fight against COVID-19. The Kenyan government, medical institutes, and all medical front liners for their excellent work,” she added.