Speaker Justin Muturi says only two MPs tested positive for coronavirus

Speaker Justin Muturi says only two MPs tested positive for coronavirus

National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi has dismissed claims that six MPs tested positive for coronavirus.

According to him, only two lawmakers tested positive and one of them has since been discharged from hospital and is in isolation.

“I wish to note that, as of today, June 30, 20120, 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,” he said in a statement.

His statement comes a day after a local publication reported that there were six MPs who were admitted to various hospitals after contracting the COVID-19 disease.

It was further reported that one of the allegedly ill MPs was in critical condition in an Intensive Care Unit.

However, on Tuesday, Speaker Muturi was categorical that media should desist from sensationalising the coronavirus cases in Parliament.

He revealed that the other MP who is yet to be discharged from hospital has also been attended to and is now in stable condition in general ward care.

“I have deliberately given this information to reassure the public and dissuade the ongoing speculation. Whilst the need for information is critical to the public, the media should in the first instance note that the medical details of individuals, including Members of Parliament, are confidential and ought to be treated as such,” he said.

Speaker Muturi further reiterated that Parliament has taken several steps to combat spread of the virus including limitation of the number of MPs accessing the chamber; designation of holding-areas for MPs; adoption of virtual sittings for committees where applicable as well as working-from-home measures for members of staff.

“We have also held several voluntary testing sessions within Parliament including in April and the one that is currently ongoing here in Parliament being undertaken by the Ministry of Health,” he added.

On Tuesday, Kenya reported that 176 more people had tested positive for coronavirus bringing the total number of cases in the country to 6,366.

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