Kenyans have taken to social media to express cautious optimism as the country prepares for reopening of schools and economy. The anticipation has been demonstrated through the use of funny viral videos which are grudgingly pleading with the president to ease the curfew orders.
This comes against the backdrop of President Uhuru's speech, on May 27, which hinted that he may relax the curfew and the cessation of movement in several counties.
To many Kenyans, his speech simply meant that the tough conditions that people have had to endure in the last 70-days could end tomorrow.
Speaking when he unveiled the Ksh54 billion economic recovery plan, the President declared that the curfew and the lockdown cannot continue forever and that he will soon issue a decree of easing the measures.
“I have told health officials and my ministers that they should start telling Kenyans that we cannot be under a curfew or lockdown forever. We cannot keep on telling Kenyans to stay at home, or that they should not tend to their business or even go to work,” the President said when he addressed the nation from State House.
Government officials have noted that the overall impact of curbing the spread of infections has been the key goal. But there is still a need to include economic safety nets to cushion the poor and vulnerable populations while providing security.
Curfew Extension
Interior PS Karanja Kibicho, in an interview with Citizen TV on Wednesday, June 3, however, disclosed that Kenyatta may resort to extending the curfew, but he will rework the timeline.
Currently, the curfew commences at 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Business owners have complained that the period stipulated by Kenyatta was unfavourable as most businesses thrive in the evening when Kenyans normally head back home, between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
"We may not expect to remove the curfew all together but whether or not, it is an ongoing discussion. We need to reduce the timelines.
"In Nairobi, when you say people must be in their houses by 7 p.m., businesses have to close by 3 p.m. because of traffic jams and availability of matatus. Therefore, treatment of curfew in Nairobi must be different from that in Tana River or Taita Taveta," Kibicho stated.
Economy
On Saturday, May 23, Kenyatta signalled the end of curfews and lockdowns, suggesting that he would soon 'reopen the economy' amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
According to Kenyatta, there is need for analysing a better model that would serve the nation better.
"Time has come and I have directed our Cabinet Secretaries and health officers to start explaining to Kenyans that we cannot continue with lockdowns and curfews. It will come to a point when we shall open the country.
"However, managing the crisis would depend on us. This disease will continue spreading if we do not follow measures stipulated. But if we do, we shall overcome and triumph," Kenyatta proclaimed.
Churches & Schools Reopening
Interior and Coordination CS Fred Matiang'i has said a report on whether to reopen churches or not is ready and will be handed over to President Uhuru Kenyatta today.
Speaking after meeting religious leaders at KICD in Nairobi, Matiang'i who was accompanied by CSs George Magoha (Education) and Mutahi Kagwe (Health), said the report was compiled after engaging Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the University of Nairobi (UoN) schools of medicine and Kemri team who have got the Covid-19 data.
President Uhuru, on Monday, June 1, announced that he had directed Cabinet Secretaries to quicken talks with religious leaders and issue him a report on the way forward.
“The Education sector should finalise the consultations to give an appropriate calendar for the schools to guarantee not only the safety of children but also parents. This disease is here with us and every Kenyan must take responsibility to ensure that all is well,” he said.
Developments
The Health docket raised alarm over how businesses flouted Covid-19 rules after being allowed to resume. A number of clubs too have been spotted allowing individuals to party and flout the directives.
"I am yet to see how you will keep the social distance at clubs during party's while using face masks to drink," Kibicho stated, hinting that clubs may still be shut down for another period.
CS Kagwe further announced that he was considering announcing the start of home-based care after the docket ascertained that 80 per cent of patients in the hospital are asymptomatic.
"World Health Organisation regulations, however, have to be maintained and facilities will be analysed. The government will still aid in case individual homes cannot be used as quarantine. I am appealing that Kenyans should understand that the asymptomatic patients will not be a danger to you and there is no need for stigma," he stated.
Warnings
However, as Kenyatta figures out the best action from those on his table, he and other leaders have sounded a warning on the spread of the disease.
As of Thursday, June 4, Kenya recorded 2,340 cases with 48 fatalities.
"We have been in school, learning how to manage this disease and time has come when we have to manage our own disease, with our own system and in our own environment. The most important thing is our warriors in this disease. You and I. It will call for a degree of discipline that we will have to stick to lest we have a problem," Kagwe warned on Thursday, June 4, while announcing 124 new cases.
"You have the mandate to protect yourself and others. When we start opening our economy, you should adhere to measures we have set out to protect yourself and others," the President had stated in his address on Saturday, May 23.
Experts have also raised concern on the idea of reopening schools.
"Blind reopening of the economy can lead to catastrophic results. Rushing to conclusions and making decisions based on internal pressure, with inadequate disaster management will lead to a surge in new cases and a heightened risk of deaths," Dr Nicholas Nyandiko of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology was quoted by People Daily.
"My disappointment is that we have lockdowns without accountabilities. Kenyans are losing hope. I am expecting Uhuru to have an advanced model to project. He is still treating Covid-19 as an emergency yet WHO said it may stay," Nafula Kisiang'ani, a development practitioner stated while speaking with Kenyans.co.ke.
Watch a video of the funny compilations:
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