By MN Reporter
The inhumane burial of a Coronavirus victim in Siaya and police brutality in enforcing laws have negatively affected fight to end the virus, a renowned lawyer has said.
Gad Awuonda, immediate former Nairobi county attorney lawyer said the burial where the victim was thrown at night in a shallow grave will increase stigmatisation.
“The video on social media and reports of police brutality where several are reported to have been assaulted and even killed by police will erode efforts to end the virus,” Awuonda said.
Addressing the press over the phone, Awuonda said putting through dignity of victims and upholding their human rights will be key in fighting the virus.
“We had the same stigma when HIV and AIDS was first reported in the country and it took ages and so much effort to erode that. We don’t need the same with the virus,” Awuonda said.
He said the bereaved family, patients and those close to them should have their dignity upheld.
“We laud Siaya governor Amoth Rasanga who in a statement condemned the burial and has issued a task force to check on it, we also need a public apology to the family,” he said.
The lawyer said Coronavirus should never be wished on anybody, and stigma should be eroded.”It is positive that several people can heal after being infected, we pray for the fight to bank on this,” he said.
James Oyugi Onyango’s body was hurriedly buried by county officials without a coffin despite the family’s plea to allow them time to have a coffin and to bury him during the day.
A video emerged on social media showing county official in white protective gears casually throwing the body into the shallow hole sparking social media outrage.
Rasanga, In a statement distanced his administration from the burial arrangements saying the decision was arrived at without consulting, with probe seeking to establish who gave the controversial directive.
Rasanga said he regretted that the victim was given a barbaric send-off.
“I am very sorry to the Republic of Kenya that this thing occurred the way it occurred. It was indeed very barbaric,” Rasanga said.
He has also promised to assist the family to perform final rites once they are out of quarantine.
