Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has shared intricate details about his experience with Covid-19 and the wild rumours announcing his death.
The governor noted in a public statement that the experience had shaped his perspective and attitude towards life.
"My phone was full of emails, SMSs and WhatsApp get well messages from family, friends, workmates, political colleagues, and even from my political opponents. Corona had brought us together. When you fall sick or dead, suddenly you become everyone’s friend," he stated.
According to Murungi, his battle with the dreaded virus occurred in three cycles: the first stage was marked by denial which led to him forcing his body to work despite depicting symptoms of fatigue, fever, confusion. He survived on over-the-counter medication in order to keep working.
His second phase led him to seek a Covid-19 test which later turned out to be positive. He revealed that accepting the results was key in him seeking treatment.
"The third cycle was marked by a period of self-reflection," Murungi noted adding that it was one of the most creative, inspirational and revelatory moments of his life.
The governor said that he went into isolation and continued with the strict regimen as advised by his doctors.
He had a home-care nurse who monitored his oxygen, blood pressure and blood sugar levels every three hours.
He detailed how politics had robbed him of his life. The governor gave an example of how Orange Democratic Movement party leader Raila Odinga's health came second to politics.
"As I read this book, I watched with pity, a frail-Raila Odinga, who was being treated for a Covid-19 attack being literally “dragged out of bed” so that he and the President could be seen together opening roads in Nairobi and Kajiado, for political optics, to show Kenyans that the “Handshake Deal” between the two was still intact," Murungi stated.
Murungi wondered how his life would be remembered, reminiscing the likes of the late Tanzanian President John Pombe Magufuli who died at his prime.
He noted that he would release himself from the burden that is political antics and ploys, and instead pursue his own desires.
"I promised myself to pursue my dreams without seeking approval from anybody. I thank Corona for helping me to find myself, and to liberate me from others," he stated.
