A section of Kenyans has raised concerns over a move to transfer the body of the late Matungu Member of Parliament Justus Murunga from his rural Mumias home to Nairobi for preservation awaiting burial.
In a video seen by this writer, a hearse is seen leaving St. Mary’s Hospital mortuary in Kakamega for Nairobi as grieving locals mourn the MP said to have succumbed to Covid-19 complications on Saturday.
The driver of the hearse and people escorting the body donned Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
Reports indicate that the body will be preserved at Lee Funeral Home — a morgue associated with the “high and mighty” — as burial arrangements kick-off.
UPDATE: The body of Late Matungu MP Justus Murunga leaves his rural home for Nairobi, where it will be preserved at the Lee Funeral Home. VIDEO | ABEL AMALA OF 'K24 DIGITAL' pic.twitter.com/Bdyxljjls7
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) November 15, 2020
The Ministry of Health protocols require that bodies of Covid-19 victims be buried within the shortest time possible. Kenyans who die of Covid-19 are often buried within a day or two at most with strict adherence to the ministry’s guidelines.
Concerned Kenyans took to social media to question the motive of transporting the body of a Covid-19 victim to Nairobi considering the risks and even the costs involved.
Read: Justus Murunga: The Matungu MP Who Allegedly Abandoned His Family
Some called out Kenyan leaders for failing to invest in their home counties hence the need to transport the body to a mortuary in Nairobi.
Here are some of the reactions:
Why should a Matungu MP body that died in Mumias be ferried to Nairobi's Lee funeral home for arrangement for a burial in Matungu? https://t.co/C4SbyASToA
— Vinkeal Lambs (@vinkeallambs) November 15, 2020
Bringing the body to Nairobi to spread the virus further. So sad!! https://t.co/rKy0Rga1HO
— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) November 15, 2020
Hey @MOH_Kenya can you block this? Why should we have the body of a COVID-19 victim brought to Nairobi accompanied by people who might be infected already?
They are bringing it to spread the virus further? @StateHouseKenya @IG_NPS pic.twitter.com/Rx5mmPKHeY
— Robert ALAI, HSC (@RobertAlai) November 15, 2020
Dont we have mogues is Kakamega or in Kisumu for that matter. I don't get the logic in transporting the body all the way to Nairobi and brought back in a week for burial.
— Josh Oluga (@Josholuga) November 15, 2020
Then the body will be flown back to matungu? This country has a serious problem
— Bushisky Abbasky (@bushisky) November 15, 2020
https://twitter.com/OneOlwoch/status/1327917168818839552?s=20
The Amani National Congress (ANC) MP was a key ally of Deputy President William Ruto and his Tanga Tanga movement. He often helped to arrange political meetings in the region.
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