A number of Kenyans who are trapped in Wuhan City of China, that has been cordoned off after being infested with the deadly coronavirus have called out the state for lying.
Students who are residing in the city denied the government’s claims that it had contacted them for a way forward after the virus claimed more than 100 people.
Kenya, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headed by Raychelle Omamo, released a statement on Monday, January 27, explaining that it had reached out to the Kenyans.
Principal Secretary Macharia Kamau, speaking to the press, disclosed that the Kenyan Embassy in China had issued an alert advising Kenyans in the Asian country to take precautions and protect themselves.
Just hours after the statement was released, the seemingly frustrated students in China took to Twitter to express their displeasure at the rate by which the government was responding to their pleas.
Several of the students denied receiving such an alert, explaining that they had not been contacted by anyone.
“I am a Kenyan student in Wuhan at the epicenter of the coronavirus. Yet the Kenyan Embassy in Beijing, has done or said nothing,” argued Brian Njoroge.
“Please, we need urgent assistance here in Wuhan, the Kenyan Embassy seems to have abandoned us. We really need urgent assistance. It is a very serious situation,” stated Jane Mulongo.
“While other governments are busy evacuating their citizens, ours is busy making statements. We’re stuck here in Wuhan. The city is in complete lockdown! Kenyans in Wuhan lives matter!” added another user.
Kenyan authorities have been on high alert following the emergence of the deadly new virus that originated from Wuhan City in China and is quickly spreading around the world.
On Wednesday, January 22, the Ministry of Health issued a statement disclosing that enhanced checks were being implemented at all ports of entry with an alert sent to all forty-seven county governments.
“We have sent an alert to all 47 counties through the county directors. We have also heightened surveillance at all ports of entry and screening has started because we have a big relationship with the Republic of China.
“We have started screening for all passengers who are coming from China,” Patrick Amoth, a director at the ministry stated at the time.
@MOH_Kenya has heightened survillance at all ports of entry & screening of passengers for coronavirus. An alert has also been sent to all 47 counties through the directors of health & @KenyaGovernors to widen efforts, Dr. Patrick Amoth Ag. DG confirms @CapitalFMKenya @KTNNewsKE
