How Covid-19 Reshaped Lives of Newlyweds 

A file image of a wedding venue in Nairobi, Kenya
A file image of a wedding venue in Nairobi, Kenya
File

It wasn't the start to marriage that Mwenda and Rosemary expected, probably not as dramatic as events that led to a doubtful wedding-day and a honeymoon that ended in the unlikeliest way- in quarantine.

For Francis Mwenda, just like any other man who is looking forward to a memorable day, his preparation for the wedding included a list of special guests and all that came with impressing a beautiful lady.

"We had no choice but to plan and get ready for our wedding day," Mwenda said.

The wedding, as expected, would go on amidst Covid-19 fears. Kenya had just confirmed one infection on March, 14 when they wedded. 

A day later, the two lovebirds left the country for a dream vacation in Dubai, where they spent quality time while creating unerasable memories. 

A week into their honeymoon, the new couple made a decision to return home onboard an Emirates flight from Dubai International Airport to Nairobi. They were eagerly looking forward to a good rest before formally resuming marital responsibilities in their own house. 

Unknown to the two, Covid-19 had already altered the way Kenyans lived and travelled. From the tarmac runway, the couple, together with ten other passengers who had just disembarked from the plane, were received by government officials. They were quickly forced into a waiting van that drove them to Kenyatta University Conference Centre.

Mwenda and Rosemary during their honeymoon in Dubai
Mwenda and Rosemary during their honeymoon in Dubai
File

Reality sunk down their spines when they were immediately separated and booked at different hotel rooms. Quarantine life had just begun!

Mwenda talks of his experience at the quarantine centre where mealtimes are unbelievably hilarious.

“They shout 'food' after placing it at the reception and taking off because they think we could infect them with the virus,” Mwenda described every lunch and dinner servings. 

A basic breakfast at the facility included an egg, a few slices of bread and a cup of tea, while lunch or dinner was beef stew served with either rice or ugali.

Government officials would visit regularly to check for signs of breathing problems, coughs and fevers yet those in quarantine were forced to pay for all the services rendered to them.  

“Just coming back from a honeymoon after a wedding, it is expected that we could not afford to pay two hotel rooms,” he said, adding that the state only told them about the cost of accommodation days after settling in the premises. 

Kenyans board a National Youth Service bus headed to a government quarantine facility on March 24, 2020.
Kenyans board a National Youth Service bus headed to a government quarantine facility on March 24, 2020.
The Standard

However, there was a ray of hope when friends and relatives showed up to help them cope.   

“We have dozens of friends, family and church that have been calling, texting and praying for us. A friend drove more than 100 kilometres to bring a laptop, a brother from church spared an afternoon and brought us snacks. My pastor sent books for us to read. We have found solace in God’s word and particularly Psalms 124 has been our encouragement. We have also found more time to read and pray,” he said. 

Those in isolation then decided to form a WhatsApp support group from which they would communicate with each other, share updates on what they were receiving from their respective 'outside worlds'.

Nearly everyone turned to the Internet to get the much-needed disproportionate enjoyment at a time when hope against all odds was the only silver lining.  

Francis and his wife finally left the facility after spending 14 days without testing positive to Covid-19 virus.  

So far,  Kenya has tested 108, 666 samples with a total of those who have tested positive of Covid-19 at 3,305. At the same time, four Kenyans succumbed today to the disease, bringing the total number of those who had died to 96.

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