There is concern over the health of Kenya's new president, Mwai Kibaki, who was admitted to a Nairobi hospital Sunday. The president is expected to remain in the hospital for at least eight days.
President Kibaki's doctor, Dan Gikonyo, said the 72-year-old leader 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.
"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," he said. "We wish to assure all Kenyans and the international well-wishers that the president is not in any danger."
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.
"One is the risk of the clot itself because it could move to other places," he said. "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."
President Kibaki has barely had a minute's rest since his accident in early December. He soon returned to campaigning for the December 27 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.
