This archive report was first published on 10 May 2020.
Published on May 10, 2020, by Joshua Oigara, KCB Group Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director and chairman of Kenya Bankers Association Governing Council.
Kenya, and the world at large, is facing an unprecedented crisis that threatens to erase the economic and social development progress achieved in the last century.
The Covid-19 pandemic has put a strain on our healthcare systems, wreaked havoc on our economy, and threatened the fabric that binds us together.
However, our frontline workers have done a great job in their efforts to battle down the curve, and the numbers of infections in our country have been relatively low compared to explosive outbreaks seen in other parts of the world.
Despite the challenges, the number of recoveries has significantly increased in recent days, demonstrating that joint individual, corporate, and government efforts are severing chains of infection and transmission.
However, we are still not out of the woods yet, and we must be firm and strictly follow government and World Health Organisation precautionary guidelines to stem the virus.
The business community has been at the forefront of developing creative solutions to halt the spread of the virus while keeping the economy running.
Locally, this pandemic has accelerated the production of personal protective equipment, hand sanitisers, and ventilators, with various industries focusing on these critical items.
Our universities are spearheading the production of key items, such as ventilators, and the private sector is pledging financial support towards curbing the socio-economic impact of this pandemic.
As a people, we have always shown solidarity and stood by each other in difficult times, and this crisis offers us an opportunity to recapture the spirit of 'Ubuntu', demonstrated by empathy, responsibility, and solidarity.
Our collective effort is our secret weapon in the war against this contagion, and in the banking industry, we have proactively committed to contribute funds towards emergency interventions to cushion vulnerable citizens affected by the pandemic.
At KCB Group, we have rolled out a slew of measures to cushion customers who are adversely impacted by the pandemic, including contributing Sh150 million to the Emergency Response Fund and unveiling packages to support our customers in distress.
As we continue to navigate this new normal, it is also important that we leverage technology as a toolset of unimaginable value and as a critical social field.
Africa has faced difficult times before, but we always rise to the occasion, and I am confident that if we pull together, we will emerge stronger.
