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Kenyans' Stress Levels Rise Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

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Nyakundi Report

Newsroom 1 min read

This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.

As of June 22, 2020, Kenya had recorded 4,738 COVID-19 cases, with 260 new cases reported on that day alone.

According to a survey conducted by Infotrak, 78% of Kenyans find COVID-19 news stressful and alarming, with 48% describing it as confusing.

Despite the overwhelming amount of information available, many Kenyans are struggling to make sense of it all, with 68% of those surveyed saying they were confused about the pandemic.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe and President Uhuru Kenyatta were the most trusted sources of COVID-19 information, with 83% and 82% of Kenyans respectively vouching for them.

However, the pandemic has also taken a toll on Kenyans' mental health, with 81% saying they were anxious and stressed about what was happening.

Other effects of the pandemic include loneliness, helplessness, and feelings of being mistreated, with 61%, 52%, and 36% of Kenyans respectively reporting these emotions.

Furthermore, the economic impact of the pandemic has been severe, with 87% of participants saying the prices of goods had gone up, and 75% saying they were unable to pay informal and formal loans.

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