This archive report was first published on 13 June 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic ravages the country, Kenyans are struggling to make ends meet. The government's response has been inadequate, leaving many to fend for themselves.
Three months ago, Kenya announced its first Covid-19 case. Since then, life has not been the same. The government's restrictions have led to economic hardship, with many Kenyans struggling to access basic necessities like food and water.
Even big-name organizations are feeling the pinch. They are now sending distress signals, highlighting the need for government intervention. If things are starting to look bleak, it's because they actually are.
The government's handling of the pandemic has been marred by promises that have not been kept. They promised to provide affordable masks, but instead, private businesses have taken advantage of the situation, selling them at exorbitant prices.
When the Ministry of Health made it mandatory to wear masks in public, Kenyans were united in asking the government to offer readily available masks at subsidized costs. However, the government failed to deliver, leaving many to resort to private solutions.
The Transport ministry also promised to ensure passenger transport service providers did not hike their charges due to the social distancing restriction required of them to obey. However, this promise was not kept, and many Kenyans are now struggling to access affordable transportation.
It's time for Parliament to step in and help put money back in our pockets. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to many Kenyans sinking deeper into poverty, and it will be of no use if we survived coronavirus only to be killed by hunger and starvation.
As Kenyans, we love this country and want it to do well. We want to win social media arguments with citizens of other countries who keep questioning our dying love for our national flag. However, this year's budget does not address the situation of the vulnerable poor, especially in the wake of Covid-19 and what it has done to our pockets.
