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Deputy President William Ruto on April 9 downplayed claims that he is being sidelined in the fight against coronavirus in the country.

During a press briefing at his Karen office, DP Ruto said it was in order for him and President Uhuru Kenyatta to avoid attending same meetings in times of a health pandemic.

Clearing claims of his conspicuous absence from the sight of Kenyans, the DP said he has been in constant communication with the President and the relevant ministries.

“In matters of communication of the government, we are encouraging teleconferencing to avoid physical meetings. You may want to know that many meetings involving ministers are being carried over phone.

“For the record, we communicate regularly, almost daily with the President and all the relevant ministers involved, and that is the position of the Jubilee administration,” said the DP.

Over the past days, the DP had not made a public appearance while Covid-19 pandemic continued to strike Kenya.

The DP reiterated the Health Ministry’s safety measures on averting COVID-19 infections.

Ruto commended the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) for its development in mass production of COVID-19 testing kits.

Asked on the State’s plans on the potential health crisis from COVID-19, Ruto revealed his morning communication with head of Public Service James Kinyua who briefed him on the government’s plan to hire 1500 doctors.

To ensure the country’s food stores are full, Ruto urged farmers to continue producing crops that will cushion the nation against hunger.