Editor's Review

National Assembly Clerk Michael Sialai in a press statement on Wednesday, December 22, confirmed developments.

Several Members so f Parliament and parliamentary service staff have tested positive for the new Covid-19 Omicron variant.

According to media reports, at least 18 MPs and 41 support staff have been confirmed positive.

The two groups are said to have tested positive after getting back to the country from Arusha, Tanzania, where they had gone for the East African parliamentary games.

National Assembly Clerk Michael Sialai in a press statement on Wednesday, December 22, confirmed the developments.

He said health protocols have been followed to ensure the safety of others. He did not reveal the exact number of people affected.

“Affected members and staff have since been advised to isolate and follow relevant Covid protocols as guided by MoH.

"Our medical team is conducting follow-ups to ensure compliance and offer any necessary help to the affected members and staff," he said in the statement.

According to MP Sankok who spoke to Hillary Mageka, a journalist, he is aware of 8 of his friends who tested positive.

He also allayed fears that the situation had gotten worse saying a majority of his colleagues are safe.

“I know eight out of 10 of my colleagues who travelled to Arusha have tested positive but nothing to worry about.

“No hospitalisation case has been registered yet. However, a majority of us are safe; as you can see this afternoon, we had over 150 MPs in the House," he told the journalist.

The East African parliamentary games brought legislators from Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya, and the East African Legislative Assembly.

The MPs competed in football, netball, volleyball, tug of war, golf, basketball, and darts.