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Queries raised on how Joho was cleared for Dubai trip

Wednesday, July 15th, 2020 00:00 | By
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohamed when they travelled to visit Raila Odinga in Dubai on July 9. Photo/PD/File

Mystery surrounds circumstances under which Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was cleared to travel to Dubai to visit Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga.

The concern emerged after Joho’s entire security team was taken into mandatory quarantine after one of his bodyguards tested positive for Covid-19 shortly before the trip. 

Joho and Suna East Member of Parliament, Junet Mohamed left the country on July 9, for Dubai to visit  Raila, who was by then recuperating after undergoing surgery in the Emirate. 

Sources within security circles exclusively disclosed that the bodyguard tested positive after he took tests in Nairobi alongside four of his colleagues a week ago as they prepared to leave for Dubai.

Following the results, sources said all the five bodyguards were immediately flown back to Mombasa via a private jet and were taken to Mombasa Beach Hotel quarantine facility where the guard who tested positive was isolated.

“The guard who tested positive had not shown any signs and symptoms of Covid- 19, since he is asymptomatic and so there was no need of having him admitted,” said a reliable source. 

The Governor and his staff undergo routine testing for Covid-19 every two weeks.

Still fights 

 “This was one of the times they were going for the tests. You know they interact with so many people and thus, Joho has never wanted to take chances,” the source said.  

Questions now abound on how Governor Joho was then cleared to jet out of the country, especially considering that he was visiting the Opposition chief who was ailing at the time. 

Authorities at Governor Joho’s administration have remained tight-lipped on the matter.

 Mombasa County Secretary Dennis Lewa, however, declined to comment on the matter, terming it as sensitive.

 “For now I am not in a position to comment on the issue. The most suitable person to respond to that issue is CEC for health,” he said.

However, attempts to reach, the CEC,  Hazel Koitaba were futile since she did not answer calls, and later sent a short text message indicating that she was held up in a meeting.

Mombasa is second with the highest numbers of coronavirus infection rates after Nairobi. 

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