This archive report was first published on 15 June 2020.
June 15, 2020, marked a concerning day for Kenya as news broke that four State House employees had tested positive for COVID-19. The mass testing, which included President Uhuru Kenyatta and his family, was conducted last week on Thursday, June 11, 2020.
According to State House spokesperson Kanze Dena, the four infected officers were admitted to the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital in Kiambu County for treatment. The families and close contacts of the affected employees have been notified and are being attended to.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has been cleared of the virus, but the incident has raised concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in high-risk areas such as State House. The government has banned public assemblies, and only 15 people are allowed to attend funerals, yet President Kenyatta invited over 200 Jubilee MPs to State House for a Parliamentary Group Meeting earlier this month.
Political observers and medical experts have pointed out that the high number of visitors to State House, including politicians and other high-profile individuals, has increased the risk of COVID-19 transmission. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to COVID-19 protocols and guidelines.
“During last week’s mass Covid-19 testing held on Thursday, 11th June 2020, four (4) persons were found to have contracted the disease. The infected officers were admitted at the Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital in Kiambu County for treatment,” said Kanze Dena.
