This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, the Kenyan government's response has been marred by inconsistencies. One such example is the stance taken by Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia on social distancing in the aviation sector.
On one hand, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has been emphasizing the importance of social distancing in preventing the spread of the virus. However, when it comes to the aviation sector, Macharia seems to be singing a different tune.
Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, Macharia stated that the government has no option but to allow airlines to carry passengers at full capacity since anything below 75% would result in losses for the carriers. However, he also announced that Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) services would resume on Monday, July 30, with coaches carrying passengers at half capacity.
‘But these passengers must go with COVID-19 free certificate. I would expect that if you are flying out, it would be prudent for you to be tested because you may not be allowed into other countries,' said Macharia.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has stated that domestic carriers will not be compelled to observe social distance by keeping some seats empty when domestic flights resume on July 15. KCAA Director General Gilbert Kibe argued that flying with middle row seats empty would be unsustainable, as some airlines would be forced to increase ticket prices, locking out hundreds of passengers.
‘I can say that airlines in Kenya will be allowed to operate in such a way that they will be able to remain sustainable. Keeping seats in the middle row empty is unsustainable,' Kibe told a local publication last week.
The double standards in the government's response to the pandemic have left many questioning the logic behind Macharia's directives. As one journalist observed, Mr. Macharia is consistently inconsistent.
