Recovered Kenyan Covid-19 Patient Demands Sh25 Million Compensation After Medics Leaked His Status Online

A 62-year-old Kenyan businessman who recently recovered from Covid-19 is now demanding Sh25 million compensation from Isiolo County government.

Osman Shariff, who was the first person to be diagnosed with the virus in Isiolo County, claims he suffered stigma and massive business losses after healthcare workers at the Garbatula Hospital leaked his photos and Covid-19 status on social media.

On Sunday, Shariff told reporters that members of the public have been shunning his wholesale shops and matatus that ply the Isiolo-Maua route as a result of the medics’ actions.

He further claimed that his daughter was almost lynched in Maua town by a mob who accused her of exposing them to Covid-19.

Shariff said the Isiolo County government, which is the employer of the said health workers, was to blame for his woes and wants it to pay him Sh25 million for loss of business and the psychological torture he has been subjected to.

Isiolo Governor Mohamed Kuti had earlier apologized to Shariff over the sharing of his photos, name, ID card number, and Covid-19 status on social media platforms. 

He acknowledged that this caused Shariff and his family emotional torture even as he cautioned health workers against revealing details of patients in future.