This is not time for theatrics, CS Kagwe tells off Sonko over alcohol package

This is not time for theatrics, CS Kagwe tells off Sonko over alcohol package

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has condemned Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko for lying to the public that alcohol kills the coronavirus.

In a press briefing on Saturday, Kagwe described Sonko’s actions as ‘publicity theatrics’ warning that the government would not tolerate peddling of misinformation on foods or drinks that can cure COVID-19.

“We have noted with serious concern about the non-factual food and nutrition information going round and social media on the healing effects of certain foods or drinks. This is not the time to confuse our people or to engage in publicity theatrics,” said the Health CS.

Sonko donated coronavirus care packages including  small bottles of Hennessy cognac to the less fortunate claiming that research from the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that alcohol kills the virus.

In a widely circulated clip Sonko said: ” We are giving some small bottles of Hennessy in the food pack which we should give to our people… From the research conducted by the World Health Organization it has been revealed that alcohol plays a major role in killing the coronavirus or any sort of virus.”

Note: WHO warns that drinking alcohol does not protect you against COVID-19 and can be dangerous pic.twitter.com/vuSuVAb8dy

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) April 14, 2020

The Health CS urged the public to rely on credible sources such as the Ministry of Health and World Health Organization (WHO) for factual information on health matters.

“While we encourage acts of charity, we advise Kenyans to get factual public health info from credible sources such as Ministry of Health and World Health Organization websites,” said Kagwe.

However, the WHO maintains that alcohol does not protect against coronavirus, and advises people to minimize its consumption.

In a post released by the WHO on Tuesday, the organization said that alcohol can weaken the health of an individual and make them more vulnerable to viruses including coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Hennessy has refuted the claims by Sonko that its drink in particular or alcohol in general can cure the  coronavirus.

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Mike Sonko cs kagwe Hennessy

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