Alfred Mutua Blasted After Challenging Kenyans to Cure Covid-19 [VIDEO]

Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua arrives at Kenya School of Government (KSG), Lower Kabete, Kiambu for a Consultative Devolution meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua arrives at Kenya School of Government (KSG), Lower Kabete, Kiambu for a Consultative Devolution meeting on Thursday, February 20, 2020.
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua on Wednesday, March 1 challenged Kenyan scientists and professors to develop a cure for the Coronavirus (Covid-19), rubbing many the wrong way.

In a video shared on social media, Mutua questioned what Kenyan scientists were doing about the crisis, daring them to leave their homes and get to the laboratories.

"If you're at home in quarantine and you're a full professor and you could be in the lab, shame on you! Shame on you. Get out, go to the lab, go to the university, go outside your house and start mixing plant-based medicines. Don't just sit there!" he asserted.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua pictured arriving at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) for a devolution meeting on February 20, 2020
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua pictured arriving at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) for a devolution meeting on February 20, 2020
Simon Kiragu
Kenyans.co.ke

Mutua opined that Kenya was waiting to import the cure from foreign nations, wondering aloud why it could not be developed within our borders.

"I want to challenge our professors in our universities, our researchers, our PhD holders, our scientists, during this Coronavirus period, where are you? Or are you just sitting at home?

"Are you sitting in the lab trying to come up with a cure or a vaccine for Coronavirus? Because we've got very educated people with papers, where are you?

"Or are we just waiting for scientists in Europe, Asia, Australia or America to come up with a cure and then we import it and buy their medicines? Why can't they buy our medicines?

"We must start thinking that we're alone as Kenya and East Africa and this disease will finish us if we don't find a cure. We must find our homegrown solutions. We have plant-based medicines, a majority of diseases are cured by plants and others. Why can't we get to our labs and work ?" he posed.

He argued that many of those who developed cures for diseases including Leprosy and Malaria had done it without a huge amount of resources, further asking those who were working on a cure in Kenya to reach out for financial assistance.

His video sparked angry reactions from many Kenyans who questioned him on what he had done as a Governor to support medical research and innovation.

"If you haven't done anything towards creating an enabling environment, I suggest you discuss other things like the current price of tea," wrote one Gathoni in response.

"Serious governments invest in their scientists and professors. How much have you invested in research institutions within your county?" posed Stephen Machua.

Mutua was unavailable when contacted by Kenyans.co.ke on Wednesday, March 1 to respond to various queries on the matter.

The governor's assertion that Kenyan scientists were not working to find a cure is, however, wrong as a number of them are actively involved in programs seeking to find a vaccine for the virus.

A research team from the University of Nairobi (UoN), for instance, has already developed a protocol for the vaccine research and sent Coronavirus case management guidelines to the Ministry of Health for publication.

In addition, researchers in the country have already been approached to identify candidates for the vaccine trials.

Watch Mutua's video below: