‘I don’t have COVID-19,’ CS Matiang’i declares as he dismisses ICU admission

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i has dismissed reports claiming that he has contracted COVID-19 and  is undergoing medical care in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Dr. Matiang’i termed the reports as rumours which he blamed on individuals he described as “mentally deranged” and who are keen on distracting him from his job.

The CS pointed out that he has so far undertaken three COVID-19 tests, adding that he would not hesitate to publicly announce his status should he contract the virus.

“If I was sick of COVID-19 I will be the first to go public with it because there is nothing to hide. I have been tested three times because our level of exposure is high because of high interactions,” said the CS, in an interview at his Harambee House office on Friday.

“I am not made of metal, so are my colleagues. We are human beings who get sick all the time because we are not heavenly. We go to hospital all the time…”

He added: “These are distractions. They want me to sit there and sulk so that I don’t achieve the objectives given to me by the President. Focus is key and they know I will fail once I get distracted.”

Dr. Matiang’i said the claims of his hospitalisation had subjected him and his family to a lot of distress, even forcing him to switch off his phone on Thursday night.

“I feel for my family. My innocent wife and children who have their own lives to live but they have to endure this kind of rumours. They are private citizens who have to pay a heavy price because one of them is in public service,” said the CS.

“I cannot pretend that I can’t get the infection. There is nothing strange with CSs getting sick but I find this funny because the perception appears to be that once we get into public office we can’t get sick. It is not true,” he added.

Meanwhile, Matiang’i says he has filed a complaint with the National Police Service to establish the source of the rumours.

“I have told the DCI and the Inspector General of Police and they are trying to investigate. We hope that we shall get to the bottom of the situation,” he said.

His sentiments come in the back of reports claiming that two Cabinet Secretaries and Government Spokesperson Col. Cyrus Oguna had also contracted the coronavirus.

Oguna, who had initially dismissed reports on his alleged hospitalisation, has since come out to confirm that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is admitted at an isolation and treatment facility.