Kenyans want the government to announce mitigating economic measures to help ease the pressure bought about by the new lockdown.
Most Kenyans have made a rallying call asking President Uhuru Kenyatta to make similar calls - to what he did when he lowered taxes (PAYE) and exemptions.
The new lockdown announced on Friday, March 26, which appears to have been done hastily was followed by multiple changes and clarification, but none of it mentioned what the government is planning to do to address the expected job losses and tough economic times.
As President Uhuru Kenyatta declared the second lockdown in the wake of the third wave, business owners and the already ailing transport sector were part of the areas in which the government directed new stringent measures.
Unlike during the first Covid-19 containment measures announced in March 2020, which was immediately followed by goodies for the vulnerable, the government is yet to mention any such goodies as the second lockdown takes effect.
Despites the president defending his recent decision as very necessary and temporary, Kenyans have expressed their dissatisfaction and are urging the president to move in first to give them a way forward.
The Executive Director of the Federation of Kenya Employers Jacqueline Mugo told Nation that the steadiness that was beginning to take shape in Kenya will fall back and even worsen.
“Any new lockdown of the economic centers and routes will be more devastating to enterprises than previously experienced, Mugo said.
A passenger service vehicle driver from Ngong said that the third wave emanated from politicians going around while campaigning for BBI yet they are the ones whose decision on delaying with Covid-19 remained the same.
“The government’s decision on the transport sector has never been revised since it was first implemented in 2020 despite our recommendations. We were hoping that it would happen soon, but now there is no more hope,” Ken Odima said.
“As you implement the new lockdown, will you disburse cash and business lifelines to wakenya? Vaccinate all of us, pay health workers more and arrets super speeders?” Jerotic questioned.
Other Kenyans asked the president to do a survey on the impact the lockdown has on Kenyans and emphasized that this time economic recovery will be even harder.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta locking down the one zoned area shows he has no touch with reality. The impact on businesses. This was not the time especially when the cost of living & fuel is so high,” Mugo Justice shared.
“Kenyans, I cannot emphasize this enough. We are on our own,” said another Kenyan.
“It is a shame. The seriousness we put on half baked solutions and ignoring the real solutions. For how long do we have to solve one problem,” Ochieng questioned.
These are some of the reactions to the reality of Uhuru’s directive as the indefinite lockdown takes effect. Kenyans are waiting to see the government's new economic cushion plans as the reality continues to bite even harder.
