Deputy President William Ruto has dispelled reports that he has been sidelined in the war against the Coronavirus pandemic.
This after he failed to appear alongside President Uhuru Kenyatta during his state of health addresses over the past few weeks since Coronavirus was first detected in the country.
Speaking during an address on Wednesday, the DP said he is constantly in touch with the government deliberating on how to fight the pandemic.
Deputy President William Ruto has vehemently warned Kenyans against what he called underestimation of the Coronavirus pandemic threat.
Ruto said that the deadly disease should not be viewed casually instead citizens must follow strict guidelines set by the government in a bid to win the war against the disease.
“We are in a new place confronting a situation that is fully unprecedented in our times. “Ruto said
His statements come barely a few days after health cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe forwarned Kenyans to brace themselves for tough times ahead as the number of infected Kenyans keeps soaring.
“We can no longer run away from the disease. It is an invisible enemy that it is here with us and if we allowed ourselves to play chasing games with it, it will be difficult for us as a nation to catch up with it.”Kagwe said.
‘Insurmountable situation’.We are sailing towards a massive storm and I can assure you quarantine facilities are mentally straining and not convenient at all,” He added.
Ruto urged employers to come up with shift schedules in order to minimize the number of people in their work stations in line with the social distancing principle adding that employers ought to safeguard the jobs of their employees during this difficult time.
“I wish to appeal to the private sector to be compassionate and make adjustments to safeguard jobs and to endeavor not to lay off staff…” said Ruto
He said that the government is upscaling equipment and personnel meant to fight COVID-19.
“The government is working with KEMSA to stock-pile medical supplies necessary for the management of COVID-19 cases, the public service commission is undertaking recruitment of additional health personnel including 1000 doctor” – The Deputy President
“We are also scaling up oxygen supplies for all 94 hospitals that were identified for use of patients who may need supplementary oxygen” He added.
Ruto pointed that the government is working with WHO and Africa Center for Disease Control on the approval of rapid diagnostic kits to scale up testing of COVID 19.
As of Wednesday, the ministry of health had indicated that 179 people had been infected with the virus in the country.
