Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has called on Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to resign if he cannot provide a satisfactory account of the government’s handling of Kenya’s first imported Ebola case.
In a statement, Muturi, who leads the Democratic Party of Kenya, said allegations brought to his attention by a whistleblower raised questions about screening procedures, the sharing of patients’ travel histories and the protection of healthcare workers during the management of the case.
Muturi claimed that the individual, described in the allegations as Patient Zero, had travelled from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport before allegedly being cleared following a telephone communication.
He further alleged that the individual was subsequently taken to a hospital, where he may have interacted with healthcare workers, other patients and members of the public.
According to Muturi, there were also claims that the patient’s travel history was not fully disclosed to hospital personnel and that family members visited him while he was receiving care.
He called for an independent investigation to establish the sequence of events and determine whether established public-health protocols were followed.
“These claims must be independently investigated without delay,” Muturi said, adding that any proven interference in the handling of the case should attract accountability regardless of the individuals involved.
The former Attorney General urged Duale to provide detailed answers on the screening and reporting procedures followed, the protection afforded to healthcare workers, the identification of potentially exposed individuals and the measures taken to contain the risk of further transmission.
He said Kenyans needed more than announcements of fatalities, arguing that the Ministry of Health should provide a clear account of the response, the care given to patients and the preventive measures implemented to protect the public.
Muturi also called on the Ministry of Health, airport authorities and the hospital involved to preserve relevant records, assess possible exposure and provide timely, evidence-based updates.
He said the findings of any investigation should be made public, subject to patient confidentiality and the protection of sensitive personal information.
Muturi puts Duale on the spot
Muturi said the Health Cabinet Secretary should take personal responsibility for explaining the Ministry’s handling of the incident and demonstrating that appropriate safeguards had been implemented.
He warned that failure to provide a credible account of the response and restore public confidence should prompt Duale to step down from the Cabinet position.
“Leadership cannot be reduced to making announcements after tragedy strikes,” Muturi said, calling for preparedness, transparency and accountability in the management of public-health emergencies.
He, however, cautioned against spreading panic or unverified claims, insisting that the allegations required independent verification.
The Democratic Party leader also proposed a 21-day period of enhanced surveillance and precautionary measures, subject to verified exposure circumstances and guidance from qualified public-health authorities.
The allegations outlined by Muturi had not been independently established in his statement. The Ministry of Health’s response to the specific claims was not included in the statement.
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