Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe broke his silence on Thursday, July 9, on Pastor Robert Burale's saga in which the latter claimed he had been hospitalised after contracting Covid-19.
Speaking in Mombasa during the routine Covid-19 update, the CS brushed off the story claiming that he did not know who the pastor was or why he would lie about contracting the deadly disease.
"I have never heard of this guy. You are saying he is supposed to have been paid, by who? I don't know what he is doing. When it comes to issues like rumours, if I were to respond to every rumour I would be very busy.
"I honestly don't know about him. I don't know who would have paid him or why he would be pretending. The guy might probably be sick but you have decided that he is not. Let me leave that one out," state the CS.
The city clergy announced that he had tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday, July 6, through his Facebook page and a subsequent interview with Radio Maisha's Massawe Japani.
"For two days I fought for my life under the great care of the doctors and nurses at Nairobi Hospital. I saw the hand of God. My progress is good and my vitals are responding well. For anyone who thinks this thing is a joke… may the Lord have mercy on you," he stated.
However, his interview at Radio Maisha coupled up with an Instagram video sparked uproar after he was seen dressed in a t-shirt and cap. Netizens argued that the appearance was less convincing for someone who was on Oxygen in an ICU - a claim that was clarified that the celebrity pastor was not under intensive care.
After the saga, Burale opened up to Kenyans.co.ke explaining that he was recuperating well regardless of a challenge that had erupted after his update.
"I never need to defend myself for being unwell. I am fully recovering and I am not in the Intensive Care Unit. I am in an isolation ward," Burale stated with the video showing medics attending to other patients in the ward.
The medics wore hazmat suits with patients, Burale included, wearing green hospital gowns.
According to the Ministry of Health, there are various stages for Covid-19 infection which require different treatment.
Treatment for asymptomatic patients costs Ksh 21,000 per day, mild Covid-19 patients costs Ksh 21,400 per day, in ICU but on supplementary Oxygen is Ksh 51,000 per day and for those in ICU placed on a ventilator, the treatment costs Ksh 71,000 per day.
Below is the video of CS Kagwe address:
“I never heard of this guy…I honestly don’t know about this Robert guy.” CS Mutahi Kagwe responds to a question about the credibility of Robert Burale’s sickness. pic.twitter.com/BPcmk5T5bn
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) July 9, 2020
