CS Mutahi Kagwe

We Will Sanitize The Healthcare System, CS Kagwe Breaks Silence on Ksh 4M Tea Budget

by Mustafa Juma May 1, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has broken his silence on the ministry’s Ksh. 1 billion expenditure that had caused an uproar among Kenyans.

In a post on his Facebook page on Thursday evening, Kagwe said information on Coronavirus expenditure that has been circulated on social media is baseless and if there is any truth in it, he will take action.

The CS dismissed the information on how the ministry spent the Ksh 1 billion donated by world bank, that has hence gone viral as lies, innuendo and propaganda.

“Good Evening. I have debated posting tonight but am doing so because I read your comments and appreciate your sentiments and fears. As a Kenyan, I too have been disappointed by leaders who fail us for reasons that span inefficiency to corruption.

” The allegations you are seeing are based on this trend: public skepticism and pessimism. I get it. And so I am here to let you know that among us is a cohort that believes in exploitation and that thinks that by spreading lies, innuendo and propaganda, I will be intimidated and worse, lose the trust of you – – the Kenyan – – who believes in our cause and my integrity.

“They want us sidetracked. I am no greenhorn; I have seen such mischief before, wasn’t intimated then and will not be intimidated now. Watch my actions, they will illustrate this.

“The job at hand is simple: save lives in the most cost efficient way and accomplish this in collaboration with the people this position devotes me to: YOU.

“So, in pointing out the fakeness of the financial analyses making the circuit, I am sure that you will agree with me this is not the appropriate forum for me to delve into detailed accounting, balance sheets et all.

“But that is coming. You need transparency and will get it in a manner detailed enough for your critical analyses. Suffice it to say, there will be no theft of COVID-19 resources under my watch and if there is any truth regarding the misuse of COVID-19 funds, beyond being disheartened, I guarantee you that those responsible will be out of the ministry faster than we can blink. Propaganda or not, we, WILL sanitize the healthcare system…so God help us” he posted.

May 1, 2020 0 comment

Kenya’s Covid-19 Cases Soar as CS Kagwe Confirms More Cases (Watch Video)

by Mustafa Juma April 17, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has confirmed 12 more COVID-19 cases, bringing total number of confirmed cases in the country to 246.

Health cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe while addressing the media from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Friday morning said that five of the new cases are hotel workers.

He said that another four people are from the contact tracing.

He said that at the time he was addressing the media, the government had already tested about 450 samples.

However, the numbers may go high, since the announced cases are from the samples that have already been tested so far. Testing of other samples is set to go on throughout the day.

CS Kagwe noted that they need to improve their testing capability so as to have the capacity to trace and test more samples from the contacts of people who have already tested positive.

As per Thursday April 16, Kenya had recorded 234 cases.

President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that some measures will be put in place to help contain the pandemic, adding that the government had identified needy families who will benefit from weekly stipend.

Kenyans have so far been urged to continue observing the directives that have been put by the government to help contain the COVID-19 disease.

Watch the video below:

April 17, 2020 0 comment

COVID-19: 15 More People Recover as Cases Hit 208

by Mustafa Juma April 13, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has for the first time recorded the highest number of recoveries within 24 hours.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Monday evening confirmed 15 more recoveries, bringing the total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the country to 40.

CS Kagwe announced that the 15 had tested negative after two mandatory tests were performed on them.

However, Kagwe confirmed 11 more new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 2018.

He said that the government has so far managed to test 8,123 samples, Mobilized 500 ventilators for critical care, and Manufactured and distributed millions of litres of sanitizer.

Kagwe however, noted that the government has scaled up its preparedness in response to contain the disease. He cited that PPEs have been scaled up, where millions of shillings have been spent, upwards of Ksh 140 million.

“We have scaled up our preparedness in response to contain the disease, we have scaled up our PPEs where we have spent millions of shillings, upwards of 140M. We have tested over 8000 samples from quarantined persons and their contacts,” he said.

April 13, 2020 0 comment

VIDEO: Controversial Political Analyst Hints at Next Mt Kenya Kingpin

by Muthoni Kamande April 13, 2020

written by Muthoni Kamande

Controversial political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has hinted at the next Mt Kenya kingpin.

Ngunyi, in an interview with K24 on Sunday night, identified Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe as the man who might be picked to lead the region henceforth, terming him ‘the possible chief in waiting’.

“CS Mutahi Kagwe is a possible chief in waiting among the Kikuyus,” said the man behind the ‘tyranny of numbers’ prediction, where he foresaw Uhuru enjoying the backing of majority of MPs ahead of his 2013 election, a prophecy that came to pass.

He based the observation on Kagwe’s performance in his current position, stating that he has done a brilliant job as the main man in the ongoing battle against the Coronavirus pandemic.

He said that he can see another former President Mwai Kibaki in the CS, adding that he might end up leading the Kikuyu community as Kibaki did between 2002 and 2013, before handing over to Uhuru.

“I think he has done his job splendidly. He interned in the school as Kibaki. He speaks and acts like Kibaki,” he added.

But his remarks might not amuse Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru, who until recently, was being seen as one of the frontrunners in the race to take over from Uhuru come 2022.

Waiguru has been very vocal about Mt Kenya affairs lately, which has made her appear interested in leading the community post Uhuru.

Last year, she said that the region is ready to support former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the presidency. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM ) leader has for a very long time been unwanted in the region.

A number of commentators have also been suggesting that she might feature in the next government, especially in case of an expansion of the executive, as a representative of the region.

Watch the video below:

April 13, 2020 0 comment

Breaking: Police Camp at Coast General Hospital Waiting to Arrest Kilifi Deputy Governor

by Gabriel Omolo April 3, 2020

written by Gabriel Omolo

Police have pitched camp at the Coast General Hospital waiting to arrest Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi for defying quarantine order.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on April 2 stated that the DG had been declared fit after being subjected to three tests.

He however, noted that the law would follow its course later.

Saburi had tested positive on Sunday, March 22, weeks after arriving in the country from Germany via Amsterdam on March 6.

He refused to self-isolate and came into contact with a number of people.

Saburi had however, reached out to Kenyans and his Kilifi County residents, asking them to forgive him for violating President Uhuru Kenyatta’s self-quarantine directive to those who had travelled from abroad.

“I am very remorseful for bringing anxiety on Coronavirus spread in Kilifi County and the entire country and hope that people will find a heart to forgive me.

“I am a responsible person. I am a leader, a family man and a mentor to many. I did not do this on purpose,” Saburi defended himself.

He further warned Kenyans that Coronavirus was real, urging them to adhere to the measures stipulated by the government to curb the spread of the disease.

April 3, 2020 0 comment

Murkomen Tables More Proposals to Combat COVID-19

by Muthoni Kamande April 2, 2020

written by Muthoni Kamande

Senate Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen has made more proposals in the senate to help in combating coronavirus pandemic.

The Elgeyo Marakwet senator has proposed that Kenya should hire more health workers who should join the fight against COVID-19.

The vocal lawmaker has also proposed that the country puts measure in place to ensure that all the medical students in their final year are graduated to join their colleagues in combating the coronavirus pandemic.

“I have proposed that we hire more health workers. We should also put measure in place to ensure that we graduate all the medical students in their final year and allow them to join their colleagues in combating this monster called COVID19,” posted Murkomen.

I have proposed that we hire more health workers. We should also put measure in place to ensure that we graduate all the medical students in their final year and allow them to join their colleagues in combating this monster called COVID19. pic.twitter.com/Y1wKnPyAUd
— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) April 2, 2020

Murkomen has been on the forefront making bold moves in an effort to help contain the pandemic.

On Wednesday, Murkomen challenged the government to come up with a plan to cushion the poor amid hard economic times caused by coronavirus pandemic.

He moved a motion demanding the government to establish a cash transfer programme to cushion over 10 million families living in informal settlements.

Murkomen said there was a need for the government to cater to the basic needs of families including the provision of food and water.

“A broad-based stimulus package is needed to cushion the poor of the poor from the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic. If we do not guarantee food to Kenyans living in Mathare or Kibera slums, they will walk to Muthaiga to get food for themselves,” he said.

On Thursday afternoon, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirmed 29 more cases in the country, bringing the total to 110.

CS Kagwe also confirmed two more fatalities, bringing the total number of deaths in the country to three.

He however, confirmed one more recovery, the Kilifi County Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi, that brought the total number of recoveries to four.

A raft of tough measures have been put in place to stop the spread of the virus.

April 2, 2020 0 comment

Tough Measures Announced as Kenya’s Coronavirus Cases Hit 110

by Mustafa Juma April 2, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has announced new measures to help in containing coronavirus pandemic.

Heath Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Thursday afternoon while giving an update of the COVID-19 situation in the country noted that things might turn worse if the measures put are not taken seriously.

The CS announced that coronavirus cases in the country had hit 110, a rise of 29 from 81.

To ensure that the numbers doesn’t go up, CS Kagwe announced all bodaboda, matatu and tuk-tuk drivers and passengers are to begin wearing masks and issuing them to passengers, effective Thursday.

The number of cases have risen to an unprecedented level and action needed to be taken as soon as possible. On Wednesday afternoon, CS Kagwe confirmed 22 more cases.

Thursday afternoon, Kenya received an additional 29 cases.

To necessitate the availability of the face masks to be used by transport sector operators, Kagwe announced that the government had begun a local mass production of masks.

Thermal guns would also be distributed to traffic police officers to be used in discovering and arresting coronavirus cases in traffic jams and roadblocks before they spread further.

Kagwe also directed that the hiring of 5,000 skilled health workers begin immediately and be finalized within the next seven days.

“The Govt. has instructed with immediate effect, that the hiring of 5000- skilled health workers within the country begin & with the aim of finalizing the hiring within the next 7 days. An additional 6000 health workers will be in place to fight coronavirus,” he said.

April 2, 2020 0 comment

Forget The Prophet Owuor Healing Press Conference, Moses Kuria Dismisses Kenya’s COVID-19 Recoveries

by Muthoni Kamande April 2, 2020

written by Muthoni Kamande

Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria has dismissed claims by the government that two people identified as Brenda and Brian had been healed from COVID-19.

On Wednesday, April 1, President Uhuru Kenyatta held a televised meeting with two recovered coronavirus patients.

The president who was at State House engaged with the recovered patients, Brenda and Brian who were at Afya House.

The President identified the two patients as Brenda Cherotich who was the first patient to test positive for the virus in the country and Brian Orina who got infected by Brenda.

“Brenda we have been referring to you as patient 1, it was necessary to keep your details confidential but you are a special woman and a special young Kenyan because immediately you felt something was wrong, realizing what was happening in the world and without being coerced or pushed by your parents you took it upon yourself to go to Kenyatta Hospital and to tell them you were not well. We are very proud of you Brenda,” the President stated

Confident Brenda and Brian narrated how they discovered they had the virus and their journey to recovery.

However, Moses Kuria argues that the head of state was misled on this.

Mr Kuria has termed the President’s meeting with Brenda and Brian as the Prophet Owuor healing Press Conference for the Brenda & Brian Initiative, arguing that the government performed badly on COVID-19.

He says that Kenyans should not be fooled, but continue staying safe.

The controversial lawmaker argues that coronavirus is a very lethal killer. He says 100,000 Americans will die in the next two weeks as confirmed by President Trump.

He further argues that someone misled President Kenyatta, arguing that the head of state is lonely.

According to Moses Kuria, President Kenyatta is missing his deputy, Dr William Ruto.

“From a communications point of view, the Government of Kenya performed badly on COVID-19 yesterday. Forget the Prophet Owuor healing Press Conference for the Brenda & Brian Initiative. Do not be fooled. Continue keeping safe. Corona Virus is a very lethal killer. 100,000 Americans will die in the next 2 weeks as confirmed by President Trump. I think someone misled my President yesterday. And I think my President is lonely. And I think my President misses his Deputy,” he posted.

April 2, 2020 0 comment

BREAKING: Kenya Confirms 22 new cases of Coronavirus

by Mustafa Juma April 1, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has confirmed 22 new cases of coronavirus.

This brings total number of confirmed cases in the country to 81.

Speaking during a live presser on Wednesday afternoon, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirmed that 21 of the 22 cases are currently in quarantine.

He noted that they have been able to test over 300 Kenyans over the last 24 hours.

Out of the new cases, 13 are males, with 9 females.

Among the 22, 18 of them are Kenyans, 2 Pakistanis and 2 Cameroon nationals.

“Over the last 24 hours we have tested over 300 Kenyans, out of those 22 have tested positive for covid-19 (13-males, 9-females). 21 out of the 22 cases are people who are currently in quarantine,” he said.

BREAKING: “Over the last 24 hours we have tested over 300 Kenyans, out of those 22 have tested positive for covid-19 (13-males, 9-females). 21 out of the 22 cases are people who are currently in quarantine…” – Mutahi Kagwe, CS Health pic.twitter.com/loVNoa3i6f
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) April 1, 2020

April 1, 2020 0 comment

Coronavirus: More Cases Confirmed in Kenya

by Mustafa Juma March 31, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has confirmed nine more coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 59.

Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi while addressing the press on Tuesday evening made the confirmation.

VIDEO: CAS Dr. Mercy Mwangangi confirms 9 more people have tested positive, bringing the total to 59 cases. #coronaviruskenya pic.twitter.com/NXYEX5O7Vn
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) March 31, 2020

In the last 24 hours, 234 samples have been analysed, out of which the nine people tested positive.

Dr. Mwangangi said that 1,160 contacts are being monitored.

She noted that the Ministry of Health will continue to work with health workers to protect them and to ensure that they have the right gear to be able to work as Kenya’s front-line army in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

“We thank our health workers for a job well done… We continue to work with our health workers to protect them and to ensure that they have the right gear to be able to work as our front-line army in the fight against this disease,” she said.

“We thank our health workers for a job well done… We continue to work with our health workers to protect them and to ensure that they have the right gear to be able to work as our front-line army in the fight against this disease” – Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, Health CAS pic.twitter.com/HlWehfMQdD
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) March 31, 2020

The ministry is also exploring the usage of boarding schools countrywide in the event the situation worsens. The National Government has engaged county governments to identify specific boarding schools which will be able to assist in boosting Kenya’s capacity in holding more people, in isolation and quarantine.

As per Monday, the cases stood at 50 after Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe confirming 8 more cases.

Kagwe noted that the virus is now being spread through community transmission ascertaining that the disease is no longer being imported from outside but is here with us.

Mr Kagwe also revealed that there were 20,000 testing kits in Kenya and that the country is still receiving more.

“We validate them to ascertain their efficacy,” he said.

March 31, 2020 0 comment

Coronavirus: Kenya Confirms New Cases, Numbers Hit 50

by Mustafa Juma March 30, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Kenya has confirmed eight more new cases of coronavirus.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on Monday afternoon announced the new cases that brought total number of cases in the country to 50.

Out of the 2052 that were tested on Sunday, they have tested 172 samples of which 84 samples have been analysed.

“We have received confirmation of one person. Apart from those in quarantine we have tested 88 contacts who might have contracted the disease from the 42 people,” he said.

“…and we have received six patients who have tested positive and an additional one patient who is at Aga Khan.”

At least 1,000 medics will be hired in the next week to handle the rising number of coronavirus infection.

The new medics include nurses, clinical officers, lab technologists and doctors, among others.

March 30, 2020 0 comment

VIDEO: MP Forced to Issue Lengthy Clarification After His Coronavirus Outburst

by Mustafa Juma March 30, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Just hours after issuing a twitter thread that aimed at exposing government’s failure in giving Kenyans factual information on coronavirus status in the country, Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie found himself in trouble.

24 hours after his outburst, the tanga tanga lawmaker was summoned to Kabete DCI offices, where he was forced to issue a lengthy clarification on his social media post.

Kiarie had on Saturday night made a statement where he insinuated that over 7,000 people were under quarantine, a figure that was interpreted to mean the patients were bundled up in few quarantine centers.

In his clarification, however, he pointed out that the 7,000 figure represented the number of people who were supposedly on self-quarantine after jetting into the country within a certain time period.

“As a law-abiding citizen, I presented myself to the Dagoretti Division Police Headquarters, to honour summons to appear at the DCIO office.

“I responded to the concerns of the government on my publications regarding the COVID 19 situation in Kenya. Two issues were raised; on the 7,000 figure and the 10,000 projection of infections by May to which I responded,” he explained.

“I allayed any fears that I meant the 7,000 were held in Lenana School. As they noted, in my post, the figure was the number of Kenyans who landed in the country since the onset of this calamity, who should be in quarantine, which in itself is a very conservative estimate,” Kiarie clarified.

In the 10,000 figure, he claimed that his projection was backed up by scientific research largely concerning other first world countries that the virus spread faster injuring their economies. The countries in question are Italy and the United States.

” On the projections of 10,000 infected cases by May, I base the figure on a scientific extrapolation published by esteemed scientific researchers in the publication “PROJECTION OF EARLY SPREAD OF COVID 19 IN AFRICA AS OF MARCH 2020” by Carl A.B. Pearson (LSHTM, SACEMA; mailto:carl.pearson@lshtm.ac.uk) Cari Van Schalkwyk (SACEMA) Anna Foss (LSHTM) Kathleen O’Reilly (LSHTM) SACEMA’s Modelling and Analysis Response Team (SMART) CMMID COVID19 working group (LSHTM) Juliet Pulliam (SACEMA),” he said.

He also noted that most parts of his earlier post were a wake-up call to all Kenyans to be prepared as the virus spread did not show any sign of slowing down.

“I continue to urge Kenyans to wash their hands, sanitise as much as they can, observe social distancing, self-quarantine and adhere to the government curfew.

“I have raised all the matters I posted extensively as a Member of Parliament through the “appropriate” channels and also on social media as a private citizen,” he added.

His sentiments on Sunday had raised Health CS Mutahi Kagwe’s eyebrows who, in his presser the same day, condemned Kiarie’s utterances stating that the MP was spreading false information.

“It is really wrong and disheartening for those in leadership to continue perpetuating false information that has got nothing to do with the real cases,” lamented Kagwe.

Watch the video below.

March 30, 2020 0 comment

Vocal Tanga Tanga MP in Trouble For Exposing “Government’s Secretes” on Coronavirus

by Mustafa Juma March 29, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Dagoretti South MP, John Kiarie is a troubled man after sending a series tweets concerning the status of the Coronavirus Pandemic in the country.

On Sunday evening, Kiarie was summoned by officers from the Director of Criminal Investigation at Kabete Police Station.

The MP was grilled by the DCI over claims he made in the wee hours of March 29. Through his twitter page, he alluded that there are close to 7000 people in quarantine facilities in the country.

These people, he said, had flown in the country within the last 5 days and were currently isolated at Lenana School and Kinyanjui Technical Institute.

“We have 7,000 Kenyans in quarantine who arrived back between Wednesday and Sunday. In Dagoretti South Constituency, we are hosting them at Lenana School and Kinyanjui Tech. How they got there and the chaos therein is a story for another day,” wrote Kiarie on his twitter account.

KJ’s alarming twitter post

KJ, as he is popularly known, further stated that the government is lying to Kenyans about the real situation of the Coronavirus spread in the country. He claimed that the government is incapacitated to handle the mass infections from the disease.

“Kenya Government must forthwith communicate the gravity of the real situation without sugar coating anymore. Let Kenyans know how bad things are about to get. They will be better equipped to make personal decisions and put up with government decrees, measures and restrictions,” he further wrote

“GoK MUST come out and admit that the government CANNOT handle what is coming alone. No drought, Bomb blast, Terror attack, Westgate, or disaster we have known before is anywhere close to what is coming. We need a “Kenyans for Kenyans” to the power of 100 to even barely survive!”

Other than the MP, other people who have been arrested for propagating alarming information on the disease are blogger Robert Alai and Cyprian Nyakundi.

March 29, 2020 0 comment

Four More coronavirus Cases Confirmed in Kenya, Numbers Rise to 42

by Mustafa Juma March 29, 2020

written by Mustafa Juma

Four more people have tested positive for coronavirus in Kenya, Health Cabinet Secretary Muthi Kagwe has confirmed.

Addressing a live press conference on Sunday evening, CS Kagwe said that the four new cases were confirmed after testing 69 isolated persons.

Out of the four, CS Kagwe said three are foreigners and one Kenyan.

The foreigners include one foreigner from the United States of America, one from Cameroon and another one from Burkina Faso.

This brings a total number of confirmed cases in the country to 42.

CS Kagwe on Saturday confirmed seven more people had tested positive for the new coronavirus and the analysis of 81 suspected cases.

The Saturday cases that brought the number of cases in Kenya to 38 are four Kenyans, two Congolese and a Chinese citizen. Three of them are female and four male.

CS Kagwe announced that Nairobi was still leading in the number of cases with now 31 cases, followed by Kilifi with six, Mombasa with two and Kwale and Kajiado with one each.

Today, Mombasa also received one case, according to CS Kagwe.

“The trend we have seen on increasing numbers is not a healthy one,” he said, and reiterated the need for members of the public to adhere to measures the government has taken to curb spread of the virus.

March 29, 2020 0 comment