The recent move by Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko to include alcoholic drink Hennessy in his donations to the less privileged to cushion them as the whole world fights the Coronavirus pandemic has attracted mixed reactions across the world.
Among those who reacted to the move is a popular US comedian, Shuler King, who has come out to publicly defend Sonko. According to the American star, there was nothing wrong with Sonko’s move.
In a video circulating on social media, the funnyman stated that if it were possible, he would vote for him and people should praise him instead of calling him out.
“Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko decided to put some Hennessy in the package and send it to people and he is under fire. For what? What are you mad at? What did he do wrong? I don’t see anything wrong. I would vote for him. I would do an absentee vote from all the way here to Kenya. You should raise some drinks and make a toast to Mike,” he stated.
However, the comedian recognized that Sonko was wrong in claiming Hennessy could kill coronavirus.
“If he has done some corrupt stuff, you should forgive this man. Mike risked his life to get liquor for people who are locked down in their houses. He called it a throat sanitizer and of course, alcohol does not kill coronavirus. But it doesn’t matter because Mike does not work for the WHO,” King said on his show.
In response to Sonko’s claims, Hennessy Kenya General Manager, Anne-Claire Delamere, issued a statement discrediting the assertion that the French brandy was effective in combating COVID-19.
“Hennessy would like to stress that the consumption of our brand or any other alcoholic beverage does not protect against the virus. In line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health Kenya (MoH), Hennessy advises on washing hands regularly with soap and water or hydro-alcoholic gels, wearing face masks, practising social distancing and staying at home,” noted Delamere.
Sonko had on Tuesday, April 14, announced that he’d be adding small bottles of to his free foodstuff hamper in a bid to combat COVID-19.
“I will be giving out small bottles of Hennessy in the food packs, I think from the research conducted by the World Health Organization (WHO), it has been revealed that alcohol plays a very major role in killing the coronavirus. If you inspect any sanitizer and check the alcohol content, you’ll find this to be true,” he explained.
But WHO has on several occasions warned that drinking alcohol cannot protect anyone from being infected with the deadly COVID-19.
“No, drinking alcohol does not protect you from coronavirus infection. Alcohol should always be consumed in moderation and people who do not drink alcohol should not start drinking in an attempt to prevent infection,” a statement on the WHO official website reads. The organization has warned that excessive use of alcohol exposes one to other health issues that could lead to complications should they contract the virus.
Instead, the WHO has recommended the use of water and soap or hand sanitizer, which contain at least 60 percent alcohol to effectively kill COVID-19.