You can be arrested, jailed for forwarding fake messages on coronavirus

Health CS Mutahi Kagwe has warned the public against forwarding incorrect information regarding the coronavirus in Kenya.

Speaking during a media briefing at the Kenyatta National Hospital, the CS said it is illegal to spread such information and those found guilty will face the full force of the law.

“It is a criminal offence to forward a message which is not true. You can be arrested, fined and jailed.

“If indeed we had a problem and the government sent out a message, people would think it was not genuine,” he remarked.

“Do not forward messages unless you are absolutely sure they are from the Ministry of Health.”

Kagwe also stated that the ministry had partnered with Safaricom to ensure the public is well informed regarding the spread of the virus.

Asked about the fate of Kenyan students stuck in Wuhan, China, the CS said none of the students is unwell.

“The matter of Kenyan students stuck in Wuhan is one that is still under consideration. We have no case that a Kenyan is unwell.

“Let’s not just assume that just because other countries are doing it, it must be the right thing to do,” he said.

Elsewhere, the government has temporarily lifted the ban for planes from Italy for an empty one to come and pick 800 Italian nationals stuck in Malindi who need to go back home.

On Tuesday the CS had suspended flights specifically from Verona and Milan to the Kenyan coast, after consultations with the Italian Embassy in Kenya and other stakeholders.