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{
    "id": 977064,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/977064/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 192,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Seme, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Dr.) James Nyikal",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 434,
        "legal_name": "James Nyikal",
        "slug": "james-nyikal"
    },
    "content": "The first officers on the ground normally use rules as they are in the book. When other consultations come to overrule them on issues such as this, it means that the rule in the book is not being followed. Can we afford such a situation when the coronavirus is spreading globally? In fact, we are supposed to be more stringent than even what the International Health Regulations would require of us. I know WHO says that there may be no restrictions of passengers traveling to other countries. However, it has also stated that countries can make their own decisions considering their own situations. I think our situation is just that we stop any planes from China coming in. I know the argument is that there are other planes from China which pass through other countries before coming here. We should also stop those ones too. The streets in China are empty. Their manufacturing is down. They want to control the pandemic yet here we are taking it lightly. I am told there were over 190 people in that plane. They are now scattered all over the country or the city. I do not think we have the capacity to go and see what each one is doing in their so-called “self-quarantine”. I am a Member of the Departmental Committee on Health and I know the appropriate Ministry will be appearing before us on Tuesday. However, something tells me that Tuesday might be too late for them to appear before us. I think some people should sit down and re-look at this issue. If planes are still arriving, as we are hearing, I do not think we are taking this matter seriously. I would rather we act in favour of our safety. In a situation like this, we should have a national pandemic preparedness taskforce to be chaired by the Director of Medical Services. By now, they should be having a COVID-19 emergency preparedness taskforce in place. From what I know, but maybe things have changed, that taskforce should make all decisions. All Government departments are supposed to be represented in it. I am talking about the security department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the veterinary services and other relevant institutions. I hope the decision was not made against or without serious consultation with the taskforce that contains everybody from every conceivable department. I dealt with the flu pandemic scare and that is how we did it. I am actually concerned. We will eventually get this information, but we must also come out and clearly tell Kenyans what other dangers they are in. What arrangements have been made? If you are in a hotel room and an officer knows where you are, how then does he make sure you are doing what you are supposed to do? How are the people serving you protected? I just wanted to express my concern that this is something that needs urgent consideration. As a country, we should be made to feel safe by clear pronouncements of what safety measures are being taken to keep us protected from this feared pandemic, which is spreading all over."
}