Children of the late Changamwe MP Ramadhan Seif Kajembe has demanded an apology from Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe for allegedly stigmatising the family.

Kagwe was quoted saying one of Kajembe’s sons was to blame for infecting his parents with the Covid-19, remarks the family says has left them stigmatised.

“The son refused to self-isolate, which led to the infection of his sister and parents.

As we speak, this family has lost one elderly family member, the head of the household, just two weeks after burying his mother,” said Kagwe.

Remarks hurting

 The 76-year-old Kajembe succumbed to the disease on August 7, at Pandya Memorial Hospital in Mombasa.

He was buried on Saturday in accordance with Health ministry guidelines on Covid-19.

The family said Kagwe should leave them to mourn in peace and stop blaming individuals for the spread.

Kajembe’s first wife Aziza, died on July 24, after contracting Covid-19.

His second wife died earlier in March, but the cause of her death was not made public. 

While addressing the media at the late politician’s home, Kajembe’s children confirmed that their two parents died from Covid-19, but the family was bitter over Kagwe’s remarks.

The family has also expressed displeasure with Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko who for posting on Facebook Kagwe’s remarks, and photos of Kajembe’s burial. They termed that as unethical and against the family will.

Kajembe’s children, Harun, Sudi, Mohammed, Fatma and their brother- in-law Mabruk Juma, said CS Kagwe and Sonko should apologise within 14 days or be sued.

“Death is inevitable. It is very sad that the CS would accuse our brother of killing our parents.

You can only imagine the kind of stigma this has brought to our family,” said Harun.

Sudi said their businesses would be affected because of the stigmatisation.