This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
COVID-19 Lockdown Review Looms ¶
As the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic, President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to review the current containment measures on July 6. This move could potentially bring an end to the four-month partial lockdown that has been in place.
According to reports, the review will be based on the capacity of counties to tackle the pandemic. The Ministry of Health has stated that counties have met the requirements, including setting up at least 300-beds to handle COVID-19 cases.
Passengers traveling between counties will also be examined to establish if they have any signs or symptoms of the disease. Health Acting Director-General Patrick Amoth said, "With this approach, we will be able to kick out about 80% of COVID-19 cases. It's a simple approach that does not require a lot of resources. If we can do this, then we can open up the country."
COVID-19 Cases in Kenya ¶
As of Sunday, June 28, COVID-19 cases in Kenya topped 6,000, with 6,070 confirmed cases, 143 deaths, and 1,971 recoveries.
Parliament Hit by COVID-19 ¶
At least six lawmakers have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and admitted to various hospitals in Nairobi. This has led to panic in Parliament, with at least 20 other MPs seeking testing over the weekend after closely interacting with the infected.
Clerk of the National Assembly Michael Sialai stated that House leadership was not aware of any of its members who were COVID-19 positive, noting that health was a private matter and could only be made public if patients volunteered such information.
Revenue Standoff Looms ¶
Counties could be headed for another revenue standoff if senators fail to agree on a cash sharing formula proposed by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA). The CRA has prescribed that counties will share the KSh 316.5 billion allocated to them in the 2020-2021 fiscal year based on population.
Populous counties such as Nairobi, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kiambu, and Uasin Gishu are expected to benefit more from the approach, while sparsely populated counties such as Mandera, Wajir, Mombasa, Kwale, Marsabit, Kilifi, and Garissa will have a smaller allocation compared to what they were allocated in 2019-2020.
Ex-President Mwai Kibaki's Health ¶
Former President Mwai Kibaki has been admitted to a VIP ward at the Nairobi Hospital since June 19, after experiencing lower abdominal pains. A team of doctors attending to him stated that there was no cause for alarm, as they were managing the discomfort.
Anne Waiguru's Probe ¶
Despite surviving an impeachment motion, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru is still being probed for fraud-related charges by the EACC. The commission's central region boss Charles Rasungu stated that the antigraft agency was investigating a KSh 50 million tender the county awarded Velocity Ltd.
