Military

DATE=1/20/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=KENYA/KIBAKI (L-O)

NUMBER=2-298574

BYLINE=KATY SALMON

DATELINE=NAIROBI

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: There is concern over the health of Kenya's new president Mwai Kibaki, who was admitted to a Nairobi hospital Sunday. Katy Salmon reports the president is expected to remain in the hospital for at least eight-days.

TEXT: President Kibaki's doctor, Dan Gikonyo, said Kenya's new 72-year-old president has a blood clot in his right leg and mildly elevated blood pressure. He is being given medication to thin his blood.

Dr. Gikonyo sought to reassure Kenyans that the president's life is not in danger.

/// 1ST GIKONYO ACT ///

He will be able to attend to any urgent matters of the state, but any strenuous activity that could involve physical activity has to be avoided. We wish to assure all Kenyans and the international well-wishers that the president is not in any danger.

/// END ACT ///

President Kibaki's right knee was fractured, and his right ankle dislocated in a road accident in December. The plaster cast was removed last week.

Dr. Gikonyo says the president's leg needs to be monitored and treated.

/// 2ND GIKONYO ACT ///

One is the risk of the clot itself because it could move to other places. And of course there is also the risk of medication, because sometimes when you give blood thinners you may have a bleeding complication. Those are the risks that we need to monitor quite closely.

/// END ACT ///

President Kibaki has barely had a minute's rest since his accident in early December. He soon returned to campaigning for the December 27th elections, which he won by a landslide majority. Since then, he has been busy implementing his reform agenda.

Concern over President Kibaki's health is heightened by the fact that Vice-President Michael Wamalwa is also sick. Mr. Wamalwa, who was admitted to a London hospital with gout last month, has reportedly returned for a check-up.

While Mr. Wamalwa denies that he has serious health problems, questions are being raised because of his poor complexion and difficulties walking. (SIGNED)

NEB/KS/AWP/RAE