Agricultural Development Corporation Chairperson and KANU Sec Gen Nick Salat faced the wrath of Kenyans after he shared photos of himself flying from Nairobi to Migori County.
He shared the photo on Monday, March 29, a day after the lapse of the deadline for Kenyans to travel into and out of the city, which is part of the disease-infected zone.
The KANU boss was travelling to Migori to attend the funeral of the late former Kuria MP Shadrack Manga.
“Today, I represented Senator Gideon Moi at the burial of former Kuria East MP and immediate KANU Vice-Chairman Shadrack Manga in Kuria, Migori County,” he captioned photos of the funeral.
Kenyans.co.ke could not independently verify whether the KANU sec gen had been given special clearance to fly out of Nairobi.
However many Kenyans, including comedian turned political satirist Njugush, accused politicians of doublespeak and violation of Covid-19 protocols.
“Cessation of movement is only for the poor, common mwananchi we are suffering,” Bersil Omondi criticised.
"State House will still blame citizens and the church for the massive spread of the virus. The Covid-19 policies are designed for the ordinary Kenyans.
“Politicians can mingle as they wish. No rules and directives for them,” Michael Kipkhimu observed.
During the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, politicians were put on the spot for holding rallies and gatherings in contravention of the safety protocols.
Records of presidential briefings on the pandemic show that the head of state has never lifted the ban on rallies but until recently when he reiterated the ban, politicians held rallies with complete disregard for social distancing or wearing of masks.
“To secure the implementation of the order on political gatherings and public ceremonies, I hereby further direct the National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) jointly with the National Police Service and County Governments Enforcements Officers to strictly enforce this public order regardless of the social and political status of the convenors of the political gatherings,” President Kenyatta said in his speech on March 12.
Days later on March 26, he extended the ban on political gatherings which was to lapse on April 10.
The escalation or de-escalation of the containment measure in regard to the prohibition of political gatherings is now dependent on whether the national endeavour to break the chain of transmissions will have been achieved.
