This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Kenya, a new survey has highlighted the struggles faced by low-income earners in Nairobi County. According to the research by Trends and Insights Africa (TIFA), 61% of respondents are finding it difficult to feed their children who have been at home since March.
The survey, conducted between July 6 and 7, targeted 579 respondents in Kibera, Huruma, Mathare, Korogocho, and Mukuru Kwa Njenga areas of Nairobi. The findings indicate that 39% of respondents are concerned that they will not be able to help their children concentrate or continue with learning while at home.
With the 2020 academic year having been declared lost by the Ministry of Education, another 29% of respondents say they may not be able to control their children from social interactions, exposing them to high chances of contracting the virus.
“Among the challenges that those with children now at home are facing, feeding them is clearly the greatest, more so for women (who usually shoulder that responsibility). But other problems such as the failure to have them continue with their studies and keeping them safe from the virus is also frequently mentioned,” the report released on Wednesday states.
Kenya had recorded 8,528 positive cases with 169 fatalities by July 8, with the Ministry of Health warning of tough times ahead, particularly from August to December.
Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha had earlier stated that it will not be practical and safe to re-open schools until 2021, citing the peak period for virus infections. He also announced that the 2020 academic year is lost, meaning all learners will be required to repeat their current classes when schools re-open next year.
