Expect arrests by DCI over the fake coronavirus victim video: Government

Any person who took part in producing and distributing the 1-minute-and-35-second video clip, which shows a middle-aged woman clarifying she was not a carrier of coronavirus as had been alleged online, will be arrested and prosecuted, Health Chief Administrative Secretary Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said Saturday.

The woman reportedly uploaded the video to her social media pages to deny that she was a carrier of the dreaded virus after she allegedly saw her image circulating in some Facebook groups and on WhatsApp claiming she was the 27-year-old Kenyan national who tested positive for the virus after arriving in the country from USA via London, UK.

In the video, the woman, who identified herself as Jane, was backed by her son and her driver who reportedly drove her to Kitale and back to Nairobi.

The woman, however, did not reveal when she arrived in the country, and what country she travelled from, only denying reports that she had contracted coronavirus.

“My name is Jane and I’m just here to say something. I don’t have any coronavirus. I’m okay. I am kissing my baby here, stop with all the propaganda. We don’t have any coronavirus. I recently travelled to Kitale, Eldoret, Keiyo back to Kitale and flew to Nairobi via Safarilink. We don’t have corona[virus], we were screened on arrival. We were tested and we are good,” she said in the video.

After Jane’s video went viral on social media, Government Spokesperson, Cyrus Oguna, on Saturday, March 14, denied that the patient who is currently admitted at the Kenyatta National Hospital was the said-Jane.

And now, Health CAS, Dr. Mercy Mwangangi, says any person who took part in the production and distribution of the said-Jane’s video will be arrested and prosecuted for causing mass alarm.

“The videos doing the rounds on social media are based on false information aimed at misinforming and causing unnecessary panic to the public. We wish to inform the public not to consume information that has not come from the official government channels. These include: Ministry of Health, Kenya and the Government spokesperson,” said Dr. Mwangangi while addressing journalists at the Kenyatta National Hospital on Saturday evening.

“The fake and alarming videos have been forwarded to the DCI for investigations, arrest and prosecution of such individuals,” added Dr. Mwangangi.

Section 66A of Kenya’s Penal Code outlaws publishing material that “cause fear and alarm to the general public”.

“A person who publishes, broadcasts or causes to be published or distributed, through print, digital or electronic means, insulting, threatening, or inciting material or images of dead or injured persons which are likely to cause fear and alarm to the general public or disturb public peace commits an offence and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine not exceeding five million shillings or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years or both,” says the law.

The CAS clarified that as of Saturday, March 14, there was only one confirmed case of coronavirus in the country, and that reports suggesting that another patient tested positive for the virus in Machakos were false.

Dr Mwangangi said the one-and-only coronavirus patient is currently admitted in a self-contained ward at the Kenyatta National Hospital, and is in a stable condition.

Terming her demeanour as “cheerful” and “vibrant”, the CAS said 22 people who came in close contact with her have been quarantined at Mbagathi Hospital.

Twenty three other people, whom she interacted with while aboard a plane to Kenya, have since been traced and advised to self-quarantine for at least 14 days, said Dr Mwangangi.

Two counselling centers for the families of the 22 persons quarantined at Mbagathi Hospital have been established, with one put up at Mbagathi Hospital and the other at KNH.

“We urge members of the public to remain vigilant, and practice basic hand hygiene and safe food practices,” said Dr Mwangangi.

“Avoid close contact with people who have flu-like symptoms,” she further advised.

On Saturday morning through the afternoon, health officers fumigated the Ongata Rongai apartment where the Kenyan patient lives.

Also fumigated was the matatu she allegedly boarded after arriving in Kenya on March 5.