Nairobi lawyer Donald Kipkorir on oxygen at Aga Khan Hospital, Nairobi, where he is recovering from Covid-19. [Courtesy, Standard]
City lawyer Donald Kipkorir is still admitted at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, fighting Covid-19.
The news was broken by Prof Makau Mutua on Tuesday night through a tweet. It was not clear when Kipkorir was admitted in the hospital, but the move to come out boldly to help fight Covid-19 stigma was applauded.
“I wish my BFF – the eminent lawyer – a quick and full recovery from Covid-19. Thanks to the great staff at the Aga Khan University Hospital who’ve been giving him excellent care. He will completely recover and come back even stronger,” tweeted Prof Mutua.
Fifteen minutes later, he shared a 10-second video of the flamboyant lawyer, donning a grey T-shirt, on an oxygen mask.
“My great friend @DonaldBKipkorir wants everyone to take every recommended measure to protect against Covid-19. Wear masks, physically/socially distance, wash hands frequently. Let’s also remove the Covid-19 stigma,” Mutua tweeted.
A stream of get-well-soon wishes and comments on the Covid-19 pandemic soon began pouring in from netizens.
Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi, activist Okiya Omtatah, former presidential candidate Abduba Dida and several other Kenyans wished him a quick recovery.
The outspoken lawyer has been vocal on Covid-19 containment measures and unapologetic in condemning individuals suspected to have stolen funds.
When it was reported that 21 packages of personal protective equipment (PPE) from billionaire Jack Ma went missing at Jomo Kenya International Airport (JKIA), Kipkorir pounced on unnamed individuals, warning them that they would face the law.
He said the corrupt individuals had shared the packages and sold them to the Ministry of Health and Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (Kemsa).
“All those who conspired enabled stole, and/or benefited from Jack Ma donations and the multi-billion shillings Covid-19 loans and grants must remember one thing. They may have immunity now, but the law will catch up and they’ll lose everything. Time is coming,” he tweeted on August 16.
Budgetary shortfalls
At the time the government was struggling with funds to fight the pandemic and support the declining economy, the relentless lawyer went into loggerheads with a section of Kenyans when he proposed printing of money to curb its shortage. Time later proved him right.
“When I advised the Government to print money to support the economic downturn caused by Covid-19, I was trolled by all and sundry. Our Government just printed money. Every Government prints money to cover budgetary shortfalls. It is a Keynesian economic tool,” he tweeted on October 5.
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At times, the lawyer struck controversy with his near-comic sentiments, especially on Covid-19 containment measures.
On August 8, he agreed with some controversial scientists whom he cited as having established that the best way to flatten the Covid-19 curve was to have as many infections as possible that will render the virus weak like common flu.
“Some Medical researchers say that as there will be no cure for Covid-19, the best way to flatten the curve is by as many people as possible getting infected; that by each spread, the virus mutates and gets weaker and weaker and finally will be common flu,” he said, provoking mixed reactions.
As a partaker of red wine, Kipkorir did not hide his frustrations with the closure of bars and restaurants. He became an advocate of traders, pleading with the government to reconsider its position.
And when President Uhuru Kenyatta declared bars and restaurants open, Kipkorir could not hide his joy. He tweeted on August 26: “Dear President Uhuru Kenyatta, thanks for allowing restaurants to sell wine. I can’t enjoy my food without a glass of red wine...”