This archive report was first published on 5 May 2020.
On May 5, 2020, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe expressed concern over the surge in COVID-19 cases, particularly among those who have been abusing the government's intervention to reopen restaurants.
According to Kagwe, some individuals have been taking advantage of the new measures by visiting restaurants, ordering a single item, and then proceeding to another establishment to do the same. This behavior, he noted, undermines the government's efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
When announcing the rise in COVID-19 cases to 535, Kagwe emphasized that the decision to reopen restaurants was made with the intention of ensuring that people continue earning a living. He stated that the government aimed to prevent individuals who already had jobs from needing government assistance.
However, Kagwe warned that the government will not hesitate to take action if individuals continue to flout the directives set by the government. He noted that the coronavirus situation in the country is far from being better and that the curve will continue to rise if Kenyans do not adhere to the guidelines.
Additionally, Kagwe addressed the issue of curfew rules, stating that the government has observed a laxity in enforcement. He emphasized that the government will take steps to address this issue, as it cannot continue to take two steps forward and two steps back.
