Education Chief Administrative Officer (CAS) Zack Kinuthia attracted backlash after revealing that the government is not keen on prioritising social distancing when schools reopen.
The CAS was speaking in a panel discussion alongside Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut) Wilson Sossion and Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (Kessha) National Chairman, Kahi Indimuli on Monday.
"The government is not going to use social distancing as a bottleneck, it is an admission that were we to use social distancing as is expected of 25 students in every class, 2/3 of our 16 million learners in Kenya will be locked out of school.
"The government is not keen on enforcing this social distancing, it is going to ensure strict adherence to masking of our children, water and sanitation cannot be compromised," said Kinuthia.
The CAS added that social distancing is not the greatest element in containing Covid-19 but emphasized on masking children and proper sanitation.
His comments, however, attacked backlash including from Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
"I have seen some blogger working at the Ministry of Education saying in an interview with Sophia Wanuna that when schools open the government will never enforce social distancing.
"He added social distancing will not prevent corona. Is that a new health directive Ministry of Health?" questioned Murkomen.
Ministry of Health has been at the forefront of championing for social distancing and laid down strict guidelines including reducing the number of passengers in public service transport.
"Why do you enforce social distance in Churches/Mosque/Markets etc?" questioned Mutahi Jack.
"I didn't expect that from Zack! What happened WHO guidance on covid19. Let's the govt get serious for once," noted Peter Theuri.
"Zack Kinuthia is playing with fire. He needs to explain to Kenyans whether GoK will pay medical bill for the children in case covid 19 spikes because of lack of social distancing. I am not aware of any parent who would like to endorse such a reckless statement," said Kisemei Mutisya.
