This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
Uhuru Kenyatta: Africa Has Fought COVID-19 Better Than Wealthy Nations ¶
President Uhuru Kenyatta has commended Africa for its spirited fight against COVID-19, saying the continent has done better than wealthy nations despite limited resources.
Speaking during a virtual meeting of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Africa (ISCP-Africa) on July 4, 2020, Uhuru noted that Africa has recorded 466,300 COVID-19 cases, including 224,857 recoveries and 11,121 deaths as of July 5, 2020.
"Africa has fought COVID-19 better than other continents, particularly due to its limited resources," Uhuru said. "With a population of 1.2 billion, we have recorded approximately 400,000 confirmed cases and 10,000 deaths. Compared to the United States, that's 15% of their cases and 7% of their deaths," he added.
Uhuru also warned that the continent's efforts could be undermined if leaders fail to take necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
"We must be prepared for the worst-case scenario. Let me add that there is no time for complacency," Uhuru said.
The President's comments come as Kenya prepares to reopen its economy on July 6, 2020, after a prolonged lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Uhuru has announced plans to ease some of the restrictions, including the curfew, which will be lifted from 3 pm to 10 am, and the ban on travel to and from Nairobi, Mombasa, and Mandera counties.
However, the move has been met with skepticism by some Kenyans, who are concerned that it may lead to a surge in COVID-19 cases and put the country's healthcare system under strain.
Uhuru's comments also come as the country's COVID-19 cases continue to rise, with 7,577 new cases reported on July 4, 2020, bringing the total to 46,756.
Despite the challenges, Uhuru remains optimistic that the country can overcome the pandemic and reopen its economy.
"We will reopen the economy when the number of COVID-19 cases decreases," Uhuru said during a previous address.
