ODM leader Raila Odinga on Thursday, April 1, revealed that his health situation while suffering Covid-19 was worse than reported.
While his family and aides claimed that he was recuperating well in jovial spirits, Odinga described his situation as critical, using the swahili word mahututi reserved for near-death experiences.
"Nimetoka nje kwa mara ya kwanza na Mungu ni mwema. Kwa wiki tatu nimekuwa katika hali mahututi (This is my first public appearance and God is good. For three weeks, I have been in critical condition," the former premier said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the President for contacting him on Thursday so that they could tour the city and inspect projects. This meant a lot to the ODM leader, having been in isolation for two weeks.
In addition, he acknowledged that many Kenyans were suffering financially following President Uhuru Kenyatta's directives, especially towards the hospitality industry.
He reiterated that the government actions were prompted by the high Covid-19 positivity rate and deaths.
He admitted that Kenyans, especially those in the hospitality industry were suffering, and assured that the government would come up with measures that would help salvage the situation.
"We are living in difficult times and I understand that we are in the middle of a pandemic. The economy is deteriorating and so many Kenyans are suffering, we pity them. However, our lives are more important and we need to protect them," he stated.
At the same time, the president commissioned the 4.2km access road connecting the Nairobi Inland Container Depot and the Southern By-pass. He stated it would help ease congestion from Mombasa Road and Bypass.
"Work is ongoing, lockdown is for people to take care of themselves, we are still allowing room for our economy to continue performing," the president stated.
His address came just a day after a group of protestors took to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) to express their displeasure at the directives put in place to curb the spread of Covid-19.
Protestors including hotel and bar operators, entertainers and others lamented that they had been thrown out of jobs following the directives.
They complained that they were not only unable to pay rent but also to cater to their daily meals.
