This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
On June 25, 2020, two staff members at Kabarak Guest House in Nakuru tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the quarantine of at least 80 contacts at the facility.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, who had arrived for a seminar, announced that the individuals would remain in quarantine for 14 days.
Magoha explained that the group had been vetting grade 5 books and had 295 people at Kabarak, but the process was completed two weeks ago. However, the COVID-19 outbreak forced the cancellation of plans to vet books for Grades 9, 10, and 11.
Magoha stated that the education ministry officials were also at Kabarak to assess the readiness for possible reopening of the institution in September. An inspection confirmed that the area was conducive for learning to resume, but 'the elephant in the room is social distancing.'
Magoha expressed concerns about the hostels in the medical colleges that could be used in case the hospitals became overwhelmed.
He emphasized that schools would not reopen until the cases of the disease had stopped increasing, saying, 'I don't think the president will open schools when the numbers are still spiking.'
