Burundi First Lady Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza Airlifted to Nairobi After Contracting Covid-19

Burundi First Lady Denise Bucumi Nkurunziza has been airlifted to Kenya for treatment after she was diagnosed with Covid-19, according to reports.

Mrs. Nkurunziza landed in Nairobi from Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura aboard an AMREF aircraft on Thursday morning, and was driven to The Aga Khan University Hospital, where she is currently admitted. Her condition remains unknown.

One of the three bodyguards who flew with her to the Kenya capital reportedly tested positive for the virus. Her husband, President Pierre Nkurunziza did not accompany her to Kenya.

It remains unclear how she was allowed to enter the country given that Kenya has strict conditions prohibiting entry of people infected with Covid-19.

President Nkurunziza has come under sharp criticism for failing to impose any measures aimed at preventing the spread of the virus in Burundi.

This month, his administration ejected the country’s top World Health Organization (WHO) representatives and three other experts coordinating the fight against Covid-19 in Burundi.

Burundi’s foreign ministry in a letter dated May 12th said the four officials “are declared persona non grata and as such, must leave the territory of Burundi.” 

The landlocked country recently held a presidential election with retired General Evariste Ndayishimiye being declared the winner with 69 percent of the vote.

The main opposition party has moved to the country’s constitutional court to challenge the outcome of the presidential election on grounds of fraud.