The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a travel advisory against non-essential travel to Wuhan, China, until the Coronavirus situation is contained.
Kenya’s MFA said over 80 people have died of the virus and more than 1,975 infected.
International media reports more than 2, 744 people have been infected and at least 81 killed.
“Those on essential travels must comply with additional screening measures that have been put in place by authorities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will keep updating on the situation of Kenyans living in the affected region,” the ministry said through a statement.
Thailand and Hong Kong have each reported eight cases of infection; the United States, Australia, Taiwan and Macau have five each; Japan, Singapore and Malaysia each has reported four; France and South Korea three each; Vietnam two, and one each in Canada and Nepal.
No fatalities have been reported outside China.
“Our embassy in China has issued an alert to Kenyans living in China and especially those residing in WUHAN, Hubei Province to take high precaution to protect themselves and to comply with measures put in place by the local authorities. The Embassy is aware that there are 85 Kenyans in Wuhan who are registered with the Embassy and is closely monitoring the situation. We encourage unregistered Kenyans to register as a matter of importance,” MFA said.
It also noted that the Embassy of China in Nairobi is in communication with its capital and the Kenyan students in Wuhan under the Chinese government scholarship programme on the status in order to improve protection.
“All Kenyans in Wuhan and in China, in general, should endeavor to immediately contact the Kenya Embassy in Beijing for advice and consular assistance as appropriate,” the statement said.
The ministry also denied a report appearing in the Daily Nation about alleged failure by the Kenya Embassy in Beijing to help Kenyan students.
“The Embassy has been in constant touch with all Kenyans in the affected region and elsewhere in China,” MFA said.
“MFA and our mission in China are monitoring the situation daily and are in touch with Chinese authorities regarding the over 200 students in the affected province. Coronavirus poses threat to Kenyans in China,” Foreign Affairs PS Ambassador Macharia Kamau on Monday tweeted in reaction to the article.
Kenyan students studying in Hubei have been advised to stay away from the Wuhan city until further advised.
