This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
As Kenya navigates the Covid-19 pandemic, President Uhuru Kenyatta finds himself in a precarious position. With the country's economy struggling, the need to relax restrictions is growing, but the President is cautious, aware that premature easing could lead to a surge in cases.
Published on July 5, 2020, the President's dilemma is further complicated by the varying levels of preparedness among the country's 47 counties. While some have made significant strides in containing the virus, others are still struggling to cope with the crisis.
According to sources, the President's decision on relaxing restrictions will depend on the counties' ability to meet certain criteria, including the availability of healthcare facilities, testing capacity, and contact tracing mechanisms. The President's office has emphasized the need for counties to demonstrate their preparedness before any relaxation of restrictions can be considered.
