Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen incited the anger of the Kenyan public after he addressed hundreds in Marakwet with total disregard for government directives on preventing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a series of pictures posted on his social media pages, Murkomen was accompanied by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and Kangogo Bowen to condole with the residents of Marakwet who were affected by landslides.
Murkomen and his colleagues could be seen seated at the podium and practising social distancing, a luxury that the grieving residents were not afforded.
In another picture, Murkomen was seen addressing the public with a mask on his face another luxury that the residents seated closely together were not granted.
Murkomen had gone to the region to help in coordinating the rescue efforts of those trapped by the landslide and to deliver donations to the residents who had been affected and lost their properties.
Caught in the same boat was Meru County Governor Kiraitu Murungi who also held a gathering in his county amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.
In the case of Maua in Meru County, however, the area residents were complete with facemasks despite not observing the recommended social distancing.
The government, in a series of directives to curb the spread of COVID-19, had put a stop to public gatherings until such a time that the pandemic is controlled. It had also directed that people who could not avoid being in public spaces ensure that they have masks on their faces.
Murkomen's gesture attracted the wrath of Kenyans who accused him of endangering the lives of the people by disregarding the government's safety measures.
"Mheshimiwa, when three people in the crowds test positive for COVID-19 and contact tracing begins, be sure to lead the health officials to these people...And if they die from the virus, be ready to die as many times as the souls without masks and social distancing there," a social media user posted.
"But mheshimiwa, did you stop for a minute to think of the dangers you might have exposed those people to? Addressing a whole village with no social distancing?
"Imagine and God forbid, there was someone with COVID-19 among them.., Truly politicians don't think beyond the umati (crowd)," another angry user opined.
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