Kenya Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe’s Son, Niece Under Quarantine

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe says his family members are among people who are presently under 14-day mandatory isolation over coronavirus.

In a press briefing on Saturday, CS Kagwe indicated that his own son and niece are in quarantine but did not disclose why and where they are isolated.

“At a personal level I have a son who we have quarantined. I have a niece who is in quarantine. The way we are looking at it is that if a person is in quarantine, they are protecting themselves and also protecting you,” said Kagwe, without giving finer details.

Persons who are required to undertake quarantine are those who recently traveled to the country from abroad or those who came into contact with Covid-19 patients. Kagwe said those who have been asked to isolate should not take it as punishment.

“Mandatory quarantine is not forced quarantine… What we expect when you are in mandatory quarantine is cooperation with the medical staff and security staff. Understand that you are not quarantined because you have committed an offence.”

“You should be very happy to be in quarantine because it means you cannot pass on the disease if you have it,” he said.

Kagwe announced the confirmation of 7 new Covid-19 cases, raising the total number of infections to 38. Nairobi has the highest cases with 28 followed by Kilifi (6), Mombasa (2), Kwale (1) and Kajiado (1). 

CS Kagwe said all estates in Nairobi have been touched by the 28 cases and their contacts.

“There is not a single estate in Nairobi now that has not been touched by the 28 people that I am talking about, your neighbor could very easily be positive. As we start on the mass test we are going to get more positive cases,” he said.

“I have been personally tested and God was kind. I was negative. I am trying to make you understand what this disease is all about. Even here in the ministry, my staff have undergone testing because we may have been exposed.”