Coronavirus: Joho Under Pressure to Self-Quarantine

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho
File photo of Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho in his office on February 27, 2020
Twitter

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria on Sunday, March 22 demanded that Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho self-quarantine in line the government's Coronavirus (Covid-19) precautionary measures following recent trips out of the country.

In a tweet, Kuria questioned why Joho had not entered self-quarantine or sought testing for Covid-19 following his travels to countries affected by the pandemic.

"My friend, my brother Hassan Ali Joho, you came from a long trip to Israel, USA and Dubai and you have neither self-quarantined nor gone for testing.

"You cant roam Mombasa streets and golf at Vipingo nonchalantly. Corona Virus is real. Unajua nakupenda bure lakini tuambiane ukweli (I love you but let's tell each other the truth)," Kuria wrote.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria speaking during a press briefing by Ruto-allied MPs on Wednesday, March 11 at parliament.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria speaking during a press briefing by Ruto-allied MPs on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at Parliament Buildings
Twitter

Joho had over the preceding two months embarked on international travel meant to secure various development partnerships for Mombasa County.

On March 8, for instance, Joho met and held discussions with Sheikh Ahmed Dalmook Al Maktoum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on potential investment opportunities in Mombasa.

Prior to that, Joho had been in the United States in February where he was involved in various meetings aimed at crafting co-operation agreements between USAID and Mombasa County under the Prosper Counties Initiative.

The initiative is a USAID program worth Ksh500 million meant to kick-start accelerated development in devolved units. Counties slated to benefit in the first phase include Isiolo, Kakamega, Mombasa, Makueni, Kiambu, Kisii, Kisumu and Nakuru.

Contacted by Kenyans.co.ke, Joho's office was yet to respond to our inquiries on whether the governor would enter self-quarantine by the time of publication.

Self-quarantine is defined as refraining from any contact with other individuals for a period of time during the outbreak of a contagious disease, usually by staying at home and minimising contact with others.

The recommended self-quarantine period for Covid-19 is two weeks.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot, for instance, on Wednesday, March 18 announced that he had entered self-quarantine following a trip to London in the United Kingdom.

"Appreciating the phone calls and texts. Not able to respond to all of them. I am well and relaxing at home in self-quarantine. Got a few more days to run. Stay safe and pray. Be blessed," read a message sent out on his social media platforms.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Ambassador Macharia Kamau also placed himself under self-quarantine following the directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday, March 15.

"Following my return from New York City on official business and the presidential directive on self-quarantine, I have restricted my movements and have taken up work from home. 

"Today (Thursday, March 19) is Day 5 of 14. We should all do the right thing on self-quarantine, monitoring and social distancing," Kamau tweeted.

Suleiman Shahbal enjoys a light moment with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho in a photo tweeted on Thursday, March 19, 2020
Suleiman Shahbal enjoys a light moment with Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho in a photo tweeted on Thursday, March 19, 2020
File