This archive report was first published on 7 July 2020.
July 7, 2020
Kenya's partial lockdown has been lifted, but the country's residents seem to have forgotten the health guidelines issued by the government to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
President Kenyatta had warned Kenyans not to let down their guard by continuing to maintain social distance and hygiene, but a spot check by the Nation found that most Kenyans have returned to their normal lives.
Enforcement of guidelines like social distancing, including in restaurants and public transport service vehicles, was largely lacking, creating a fear that Kenya could be on the brink of witnessing a spike in coronavirus cases in the coming weeks.
Inter-county travel has resumed, increasing the risk of community mass transmission, but police and public health officials were nowhere to be seen as Kenyans flouted the guidelines.
Health experts had opposed the idea of reopening the economy when the number of Covid-19 cases was still rising steeply, but political leaders and economists differed on the move the government had taken.
Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen strongly disagreed with the government's move, saying it would lead to more infections and deaths.
