This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
On June 30, 2020, the National Assembly Speaker, Justin Muturi, addressed claims that six Members of Parliament had tested positive for coronavirus.
According to him, only two lawmakers had tested positive, and one of them had since been discharged from hospital and was in isolation.
Speaker Muturi stated, 'I wish to note that, as of today, far from the speculations reported in the media and elsewhere, information available to the Office of Speaker indicate that, we have two cases of the virus that have been reported among Members of Parliament.'
His statement came a day after a local publication reported that there were six MPs who were admitted to various hospitals after contracting the COVID-19 disease.
However, Speaker Muturi emphasized that the media should desist from sensationalizing the coronavirus cases in Parliament, as the medical details of individuals, including Members of Parliament, are confidential and ought to be treated as such.
He further reiterated that Parliament had taken several steps to combat the spread of the virus, including limiting the number of MPs accessing the chamber, designating holding-areas for MPs, and adopting virtual sittings for committees where applicable.
