I have corona virus symptoms - Sabina Chege's phone call exposes gov't unpreparedness

The National Assembly's Health Committee on Monday witnessed face to face the unpreparedness that the Ministry of Health continues to have with regard to the global crisis that corona virus has become.

The health committee Chairperson, Murang'a Woman Rep Sabina Chege led MPs in seeking answers on the level of preparedness by the Ministry of Health as more African countries continue to record cases of the deadly virus.

One of the areas they sought information was on the swift detection through a hotline.

However, when Sabina attempted to call the publicly provided toll-free hotline - it was switched off.

The Ministry officials who were appearing before the committee provided a second number - a private number that was picked a senior officer working on the Corona Virus task force.

Here is how the conversation went:

"Sabina: Hello, how are you? I wanted to report a case of corona virus

Recipient: Yes I work with the task force on corona virus

Sabina: Who I'm I speaking to please/

Recipient: This is Jackson Njoroge

Sabina: What I'm I supposed to do. I feel I have the symptoms of corona virus

Recipient: (Seemingly shocked): You are having corona virus symptoms?

Sabina: Yes

Recipient: No, there is no confirmed case in Kenya unless you tell us where you got it

[Uproar from MPs]