This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
On June 25, 2020, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe delivered a somber address, veering off script to convey the gravity of the COVID-19 situation in Kenya.
With no new positive cases reported in 24 hours, Kagwe's face betrayed a sense of unease, hinting at the dire projections that were running through his mind.
"The fact that we have not announced any additional cases today does not mean everything is okay," he warned, foreshadowing the grim possibilities that lay ahead.
According to an early study published by the New England Journal of Medicine, Kenya is at the beginning of a long and potentially devastating journey that will test its healthcare system to the limit.
The government's Coronavirus action plan, published before the pandemic was declared, predicted this scenario as the "most likely" outcome, with a worst-case scenario involving a national disaster declaration.
Other countries have already walked this path, recording manageable numbers before an explosion of cases that could lead to more deaths.
However, Kenyans have the chance to stay ahead of the curve by staying home and cushioning the already burdened healthcare system, saving lives in the process.
As the government issues directives to prepare for the worst, it is imperative that Kenyans take proactive steps to avoid a total and complete breakout of the disease.
