This archive report was first published on 10 May 2020.
Published on May 10, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic gripped the nation, Kenyans were coming up with innovative solutions to mitigate its effects. One such solution was the coronavirus emergency fund, which received hefty donations, including a Sh300 million contribution from Equity Bank Group CEO James Mwangi.
However, Mwangi Karuga pointed out that some of the donated funds could be used to evacuate Kenyans stuck in China and other countries who had been advised to pay for their flights back home. In a statement, Mwangi said, “We thank the institutions that have given donations. However, that the impact has yet to be felt, though the government will now pay for those to go for quarantine and treatment.”
Meanwhile, Shannon Ngesa expressed her frustration with Safaricom's airtime usage, stating that her airtime “literally disappears.” In an attempt to verify this, she switched to a competitor, finding it to be more economical. Ngesa emphasized that as a student, she budgets to buy data for her assignments, but often has to purchase more, especially during the pandemic. She argued that this is unfair and cannot continue.
Benjamin Ashuma suggested that when schools reopen, the Education ministry should reintroduce home science as a subject at both primary and secondary levels. Ashuma recalled that as home science students, they learned healthy habits such as washing hands regularly, eating a healthy diet, and life skills like cooking. He believed that home science would enable young people to adopt preventive measures against infections.
Dr. Victor Isadia categorized Kenyans into three groups during the pandemic: the less fortunate who do not care, the middle class who fear the disease but go out, and the wealthy who are afraid and stay home. Isadia noted that the wealthy feel bad when they hear of the poor contracting the virus.
