There has been an outpour of messages on Twitter from disgruntled Kenyans after they learnt that Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe was pushing for an extension of the lockdown.
Kagwe advised President Uhuru Kenyatta against reopening the economy over lack of preparedness which he noted would lead to an upsurge in Covid-19 cases.
Kenyans on Twitter were enraged by the proposal, with most highlighting how tired and frustrated they were of staying home for over 100 days.
“My friend you are being paid stop punishing your fellow Kenyans,we are going to live with this disease,we need to work,pay our bills, continue with education, and move on with despite challenges we are facing, you not fare,” a Twitter user by the name Harun Musafi noted.
“Does this chap know how many Kenyans have lost theirs jobs while he enjoys 4million per month for tea and mandazi? How many landlords have not received rent as a result of the useless number of covid infection that can't be verified. We must take back our economy,” another user Ochieng Awimbo exclaimed.
President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a nationwide curfew from 7pm to 5am starting Friday, March 27, saying the National Security Council had the mandate to protect the life and health of the citizens.
However, he warned that he will not hesitate to impose a total lockdown if Kenyans continue ignoring government directives.
“We have taken these basic measures to protect the life and health of our citizens. If these actions are deemed inadequate, we shall take more drastic measures to ensure the rights of our citizens to life and property are maintained. Persons not authorised to move shall be prohibited within these hours,” the President said.
On April 25, the President extended the curfew by another 21 days which he extended by a further 21 days on May 17.
The curfew was also followed by a decree for a cessation of movements into Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale.
The president on June 6, extended the cessation of movement in and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan area, Mombasa and Mandera would be extended for a further 30 days.
At the same time, he ended a lockdown on Eastleigh estate in Nairobi, and Old Town in Mombasa and the counties of Kwale and Kilifi.
Kenyans have been anxious over the reopening of the economy as the 30-day extension comes to an end.
This has been further fueled by President Kenyatta’s leaked video where he disclosed plans to lift the lockdown that has restricted movement into and out of Nairobi and Mombasa counties.
"We are opening the inter-county lockdowns," the President stated during an online session of the Corporate Council on Africa Leaders Forum on Friday, June 26.
