Kilifi Deputy Governor Placed Under Forced Quarantine

Medical practitioners at a Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
Medical practitioners at a Coronavirus isolation and treatment facility in Mbagathi District Hospital on Friday, March 6, 2020.
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UPDATE Monday, March 23: Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi placed himself under self-quarantined after he reportedly interacted with the county's official who later allegedly tested positive for the virus.

Through a statement released on Sunday, March 22, the governor disclosed that he had gone for testing but results turned out negative.

He is, therefore, working from home for 14 days as expected to end on Thursday, April 3,


Authorities in Kilifi were, on Sunday, March 22, forced to place a deputy governor in isolation after he reportedly declined to self-quarantine.

Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi was placed under 14-day isolation in line with the safety guidelines issued by the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus headed by Health CS Mutahi Kagwe.

Confirming the incident, Kilifi Health CEC Anisa Omar stated that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician was asked to self-quarantine after a trip to Germany, but reportedly failed to do so necessitating the latest action.

“It is true he failed to put himself in 14 days quarantine but I cannot discuss more on this through the phone,” Daily Nation quoted a senior official.

A photo of Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi giving an address in Ganda Ward, Kilifi.
Kilifi Deputy Governor Gideon Saburi giving an address in Ganda Ward, Kilifi.
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Earlier reports had indicated that the DG's office was fumigated by medics in the county shortly after he was quarantined together with his driver.

He reportedly jetted back and attended a number of funerals and barazas, allegedly causing panic in the area.

He was taken to Coast General Hospital's quarantine centre where he reportedly received medical care under authorities watch.

A number of locals expressed their anger at the leader accusing him of being selfish for not isolating himself, some admitted that they had interacted with him and shook hands.

Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga, however, disclosed that he had an opportunity to interact with Saburi after he landed from Berlin who disclosed that he checked in to a health facility where he was given a clean bill of health.

“He told me that when he landed from Berlin in Germany for an official trip, he took himself to Mombasa hospital where he was admitted for three days, [had] medical check-up and [was] later discharged after doctors ascertained he had a clean bill of health.

“He says his status is perfect. He doesn’t feel anything unusual. He is sure the tests he has taken for the second time will put the record straight on his Covid-19 status,” stated Chonga.

A photo of Kilifi South MP Richard Ken Chonga
Kilifi South MP Richard Ken Chonga.
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