This archive report was first published on 14 May 2020.
On March 13, 2020, the first coronavirus case was confirmed in Kenya. In response, the Kenyan government implemented various measures to combat the spread of the virus, including maintaining social distancing.
One of the key measures was encouraging people to work from home, a move that sparked a movement among celebrities to promote the idea of staying at home through mainstream media and social media.
However, for many Kenyans, staying at home is not a realistic option. They must venture out to earn a living, often in precarious conditions.
Take, for instance, Evelyn, a 30-year-old single mother of four, who must do laundry work to make ends meet. Or Florence, a 28-year-old HIV-positive single mother of two, who must work daily to afford food and antiretroviral drugs for her children.
It is insensitive to suggest that people must be forced to stay at home when they have no choice but to work to survive. As one social media user noted, "we need to stay alive," but for many Kenyans, staying alive means going out to work every day.
It is time for us to acknowledge the harsh realities of life in Kenya, where many people struggle to make ends meet. We must recognize that staying at home is not a viable option for those who are fighting for survival.
