Education CS George Magoha has responded to demands by stakeholders and parents to shut down schools in 13 Lake Region counties that have witnessed an upsurge of Covid-19 cases.
The counties include Busia, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Kakamega, Kericho, Bomet, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa-Bay, and Migori.
Magoha, on Thursday, June 24, declined to shut down the schools, arguing that the decision to reopen schools was based on in-depth research and consultation with Health Ministry officials.
"Covid is here to stay... If there is a crisis in one particular school, that school will be dealt with in isolation.
"And this is what we have done in the past and it has worked," Magoha insisted.
He added that President Uhuru Kenyatta was keenly following the developments in the 13 counties but was assured that his decision to reopen schools was well-informed.
"This is a very tight year and we cannot afford to lose. All schools have money to ensure that Covid protocols are observed," Magoha added.
The government reviewed curfew to 7 p.m. and 4 a.m. in the 13 Counties as the Health Ministry moved to curb the spread of Covid-19.
"Except for essential and emergency services, movement between the hotspot zone and the rest of the country is strongly discouraged," reads the statement in part.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i added that he would put tough measures in place if the situation worsened. Health CAS Mercy Mwangangi cautioned that the Indian variant (Delta) was spreading rapidly.
“Surveillance is key and laboratories picking samples for tests show a worrying trend,” she warned.
