This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
As the government eases coronavirus restrictions, residents in Western and Nyanza regions are sounding the alarm, warning that the reopening of the economy could expose them to more infections.
Published on July 7, 2020, residents in these regions are urging the government to hold reopening plans until the curve has been flattened.
According to residents, the main concern is the potential influx of returnees from urban areas, where the virus is still prevalent. In Siaya, for instance, all reported cases have been imported from Mombasa, Nairobi, and Kwale.
"We have been smoking out those who sneak in to protect our people from being exposed to the virus," said Celestine Owiti, headteacher at Masinde primary school in Gem Sub-county. "We have many people living in slums in the cities, and without jobs, they will likely troop back to the villages. We will see an explosion of cases," she cautioned.
Similar sentiments were echoed by County Health Executive in Migori, Dr Iscah Oluoch, who expressed concern about the attitude of residents, saying individual responsibility was key in containing further spread of the virus.
"Our major challenge is handling county residents who take the precautionary measures lightly," Dr Oluoch said.
However, not everyone is opposed to the reopening. Mr Fadhil Eshikwekwe, a barber in Mumias town, was upbeat about the move, saying businesses have suffered.
