Tanzania President Magufuli Reportedly Hospitalized in Nairobi After Contracting COVID-19

Tanzania President John Pombe Magufuli is reportedly hospitalized in Nairobi, with unconfirmed reports indicating that he might have contracted COVID-19.

Tanzania opposition leader Tundu Lissu was the first to raise concerns over the whereabouts of Magufuli, saying he has not been seen in public for the past two weeks.

Through Twitter on Monday, Lissu said unlike him, Magufuli has not attended church services for the past two Sundays, adding that he skipped the 21st Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State that was held virtually on February 27th.

“The President’s well-being is a matter of grave public concern. We’re informed when Kikwete had prostate surgery. We’re told when Mkapa went for hip replacement. We’re not kept in the dark when Mwalimu fought leukemia. What’s it with Magufuli that we don’t deserve to know?” Lissu posted on Twitter.

He called on the government spokesperson to address the whereabouts of the president and his health status. Rumors indicate that Magufuli is fighting for his life at a private hospital in Nairobi after developing breathing complications.

President Magufuli constantly downplayed COVID-19 last year, and it is only recently that he advised Tanzanians to start wearing masks after a reported surge in COVID-19 related cases and fatalities. 

In April last year, he declared the country COVID-19 free and ordered full re-opening of borders and economic activities, saying God had answered their prayers. He said the country would rely on prayers and local herbs for protection against the disease.

The Tanzanian government has also not made any plans to vaccinate its citizens. Tanzania is one of the few countries in the world that have not been publishing data on COVID-19. 

Last month, Tanzania lost 10 prominent individuals to COVID-19 complications including former Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Governor Prof. Benno Ndulu, former Finance and Planning permanent secretary Servacius Likwelile, Chief Secretary Ambassador John Kijazi, and Zanzibar’s First Vice President Seif Sharif Hamad.