This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
Kenyans' Reckless Behavior Ahead of Uhuru's Decision on Re-Opening ¶
With the extended 30 days of curfew and partial lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic set to end next week, President Uhuru Kenyatta is facing mounting pressure to re-open the economy.
However, a significant percentage of Kenyans have adopted a reckless attitude towards the disease, behaving as if COVID-19 is gone.
Many have stopped sanitising and washing hands regularly, wearing masks and observing social distancing.
Businesses are no longer keen on providing soap, water and sanitisers to customers, and public transport operators have been singled out as potential COVID-19 super spreaders.
Already, President Kenyatta is between a rock and a hard stone with regard to the decision he makes next week, as spikes in COVID-19 infections have forced developed countries to frantically close their economies shortly after opening them up.
It is imperative that individual Kenyans prove to the Government that they are indeed ready to dutifully play their part in beating the coronavirus by strictly adhering to public health guidelines.
Only when this happens will we be able to witness the certain reopening of learning institutions and places of worship, and the sustained lifting of the ban on cessation of movement and the full re-opening of all businesses.
— Milan Kiplagat, a regular commentator on social, economic and political affairs.
