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

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.

 

Comments

Kenya (not verified)     Mon, 04/20/2020 @ 02:06pm

This arrogant France need to close that warehouse the call Embassy in Kenya and go home. The other day 2 doctors from France were saying they are going to try COVID-19 vaccines in Africa.

Settled Nomad (not verified)     Mon, 04/20/2020 @ 07:27pm

@Kenya, we forget the simple facts of Life, and work ourselves up, with things which have no substance. If foreigners who are suspected to be infected have been taken to France, why do you want them back? You can still be able to trace anyone that they have come into contact with, who don't have Diplomatic Immunity, and are still in Kenya.

Anonymous UI (not verified)     Mon, 04/20/2020 @ 10:56pm

How were they able to pick up anyone when the airports are closed? Was someone bribed? " Our gates are languished" - No gate keeper.
Oh well, time for Revelation and Restoration.
Good bye!! Soon no more embassies anywhere. We are all being restored to who we were before interference!!

Kamande (not verified)     Mon, 04/20/2020 @ 11:18pm

Which European country do you think would trust Kenya to treat their sick? If our Mpigs and other leaders don’t trust our health system, who would. This is just common sense, although it’s not common to all of us.

Guest (not verified)     Tue, 04/21/2020 @ 04:40am

It does not matter it is all for the best the resources that could have been spent on such ungrateful racist foreigners will hopefully be spent on a local who needs it and not a mpig.If you sick peekaboo Hilo ugonjwa kwa mamako ulaya.Infect your own citizens.In Kenya we have enough to deal with already

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