The Ministry of Defence confirmed that 320 men and women have been in enhanced isolation and some have even been forced to live in bivouac tents for 10 days. This leads back the number of British soldiers in Kenya that have been taken to hospital suffering from Corona in the training camps of Kenya. There were 4 soldiers that needed hospitalization out of the 4 two that were more critical were air lifted whilst the other two were transferred by road to Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi. The army Sources claim that all are comfortable, alert in bed and eating.
With this news coming out there is a doubt in the public’s mind if the army was being honest about the outbreak being contained with only a few soldiers actually being positive for the virus. In an official statement it claimed only 11 people were tested positive, in other news by Sky news it said that although there was a bubble that the soldiers had been mixing in close quarters when eating and working together and there is a fear that the virus is now widespread among them.
The Army is giving its best to keep the number contained and not letting the spread go beyond its barracks and camp. The soldiers must isolate in barracks before leaving the UK and a negative PCR is required 92 hours before deployment. Upon the arrival in Kenya all soldiers must remain in the barrack and for a mandatory 6 days in the Flight Household in separation.
But there was shocking claims by the Ministry of Defence that the soldiers getting temp checks 3 times a day is a lie as the troops on grounds have confirmed this. When speaking to the troops one member stated “its chaos,” and another described the handling of the situation by senior officers as “a cluster f**k”. Alfie Usher stated that “We’ve been hearing from more and more soldiers deeply worried about catching COVID-19 and concerned that protocol isn’t being followed, the rules we’re all used to following in the UK don’t seem to apply on training in Kenya.”
There are army spokesperson that are commenting on this situation and saying that “The soldiers are in Kenya for training that is essential to maintain operational readiness and is conducted under strict COVID safety measures. All soldiers deploying on exercise had to conduct a period of isolation and test negative prior to travelling.” He further went on to say “The British Army takes the health and wellbeing of personnel and the local community in Kenya very seriously. The Ministry of Defense’s force health protection measures are being applied to prevent further infections.”
