This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
Kenya has been grappling with the Covid-19 pandemic since its first cases were reported in March 2020.
On May 16, 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the country had recorded 49 new Covid-19 cases, bringing the total number of cases to 830. He also confirmed that 5 more people had died, raising the death toll to 50.
"I send my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of those we have lost," President Kenyatta said. "The life of every Kenyan is precious. I, together with millions of Kenyans mourn for the lost dreams cut short so suddenly by this disease," he added.
He noted that close to 30 per cent of the recorded deaths occurred at home, which he described as disturbing.
President Kenyatta commended the health workers for their commitment in the fight against the pandemic, saying that due to their dedication, 301 individuals had been discharged from health facilities having registered full recovery since the onset of the pandemic.
He also thanked the dedicated and skilled Kenyans who are working around the clock to keep infections relatively low, as well as the tens of millions of Kenyans who are adhering to health, hygiene, and social distancing measures.
He announced that the government had extended the dawn to dusk curfew by another 21 days until June 6 to intensify the fight against the virus.
