This archive report was first published on 27 June 2020.
CS Kagwe Under Fire Over Lockdown Extension Plans ¶
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe's proposal to extend the lockdown has sparked outrage among Kenyans, who are tired of staying home for over 100 days.
President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a nationwide curfew from 7pm to 5am starting Friday, March 27, citing the need to protect the life and health of citizens. However, he warned that a total lockdown would be imposed if Kenyans continued to ignore government directives.
On April 25, the President extended the curfew by another 21 days, followed by a further 21-day extension on May 17. The curfew was accompanied by a decree for a cessation of movements into Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale.
As the 30-day extension of the cessation of movement in and out of the Nairobi Metropolitan area, Mombasa, and Mandera comes to an end, Kenyans are anxious about the reopening of the economy.
President Kenyatta's leaked video, in which he disclosed plans to lift the lockdown, has further fueled the anxiety. In the video, the President stated, "We are opening the inter-county lockdowns," during an online session of the Corporate Council on Africa Leaders Forum on Friday, June 26.
Many Kenyans have taken to social media to express their frustration, with some calling for the economy to be reopened and others criticizing the government's handling of the pandemic.
