This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
It's been months since my brother Pius last visited our village, but when he finally arrived in July 2020, it was with a warning: he had been tested for Covid-19 and was negative.
However, his arrival sparked a wave of fear among our community, with many of us remembering the devastating impact of the virus on Nairobi and Mombasa. We had tried to convince Pius not to come, but he insisted, saying he had taken all necessary precautions to avoid contracting the virus.
As Pius walked towards us, wearing a face mask and a heavy jacket, our friend Kizito gulped down his drink and told Rasto, his father, that they leave. 'Siwezi pata Corona nikiona na macho' (I won't get Corona if I see it with my eyes), Kizito said as they hurriedly departed.
Our family's decision to reunite was put to the test that day, with many of us questioning whether we were doing the right thing. 'If its true the President has allowed Nairobi people to come to the villages, kwisha sisi' (if it's true that the President has allowed people from Nairobi to come to the villages, let's go), Kizito said, but Rasto told him off, saying not many people have Corona.
As the day went on, our community's fears only intensified, with many of us wondering whether we had made a mistake by welcoming Pius back into our lives. In the end, it was a decision that would change our lives forever.
