Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
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| Bishop James Maria Wainaina |
As various countries together with World Health Organization (WHO) are trying to find cure for Covid-19 disease, Rt. Rev. James Maria Wainaina of Murangá Diocese in Kenya has warned on testing the drugs on Kenyans asking for protection of people’s dignity.
“It is in the Daily Nation of 5th May 2020. The paper states in part that local researchers participating in an international study are seeking final approval from agencies to test three drugs on Kenyans," Bishop Wainaina stated on Thursday, May 7, during the launch of a diocesan COVID-19 response.
“Surely, at 582 confirmed cases of infections as at now, Kenya is not the worst hit country in Africa and in the world,” Bishop Wainaina lamented and wondered “the wisdom of choosing Kenya as the testing ground for the vaccines and drugs,” yet it is not the country which is worst hit compared to others.
As on Thursday, May 7, the country had recorded 607cases of COVID-19 including 197 recoveries and 29 deaths.
The Prelate appealed to the Head of State, President Uhuru Kenyatta and those concerned to observe the safety of the citizens.
“We urge the concerned authorities to take the necessary steps, even to deny such agencies entry into our country to carry out trials of vaccines and drugs until safety of Kenyans and their dignity are guaranteed,” the Church leader added. “I particularly plead with H.E. the President not to allow any medical practice, whether by local or foreign agencies, that would compromise the dignity of Kenyan citizens.”
The Church leader lamented that the information on conducting research on Kenyans has been in the media but Government didn’t talk about it openly until it appeared in one of Kenya’s daily newspaper, the Daily Nation on Tuesday, May 5, that the test trial is to begin.
“The fact that this matter was circulating in the media and Government failed to address it openly leaves the public with more questions than answers,” he said and added, “If the two agencies of research mentioned in the Newspaper have already obtained initial approvals, it would be important for Government to tell Kenyans how they got the approvals.”
He questioned further if the action to be taken is in line with Kenya’s Constitution saying, “In the spirit of our Constitution, was there any public participation or approval by Parliament?”
The Bishop acknowledged the urgency of getting a cure for the disease but cautioned on respecting the dignity of citizen saying, “Whereas the Covid-19 pandemic is a grave matter at hand, it should not in any way be used to compromise the rights and dignity of the citizens.”
“Given that vaccines or drugs may have side effects on the citizens, we must be convinced of the safety of the same and preservation of the citizens' dignity. Therefore, everything should be done with maximum openness, and testing should not be carried out on unsuspecting citizens,” the Bishop warned.
Making reference to the country’s National Anthem the Bishop said, “The "Glory of Kenya" that we sing about in our National Anthem implies that Kenyans deserve respect. All of us must remain vigilant to the foreign insurgences including research agencies that plan to come and lure poor Kenyans with money, and instill fear of the disease in order get people to agree to undergo trials of such vaccines and drugs.”
“Poverty, it must be said, or sickness does not remove the dignity of a person. The dignity of the poor must nevertheless be protected. We are created in the image and likeness of God and this fact overrides any "perceived benefits" that would demean a human person,” he said.
“Coronavirus has caused a lot of suffering and stress, even death, in the world,” the Bishop acknowledged adding that “the search for a cure is acceptable and controlling the spread of the same has been the number one agenda for many Governments in the world, and so also the search for a vaccine,” but appropriate steps need to be taken.