This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
As the world grappled with the Covid-19 pandemic, it was predicted that African countries like Kenya would experience a surge in cases due to their high international travel intensity. This prediction has come to pass, with Kenya now seeing a steady rise in Covid-19 cases.
The first confirmed cases of the virus in Africa were from inbound European nationals, and it was expected that Kenya would take time to prepare for the pandemic. However, the country's testing capacity was constrained, making it difficult to determine the true extent of the virus's spread.
With the loosening of movement restrictions and the reopening of restaurants, the government's message seems to be sending mixed signals. While some people are returning to their normal lives, the virus is still on the rise, and the country's healthcare system is struggling to cope.
County hospitals are not adequately prepared to deal with the increased cases, and the government's response has been criticized for being inadequate. The introduction of home-based care has added to the burden on individual households, making it a practical nightmare to care for Covid-19 patients.
It is time for the government to re-evaluate its response to the pandemic and take a more strategic approach to dealing with the increased cases. This includes ensuring that those who get tested are treated, reducing the spread of the virus, and granting some kind of workable control over the virus.
