This archive report was first published on 17 May 2020.
On May 17, 2020, the world was still grappling with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, and Kenya was no exception. The country's economy was on the brink of collapse, with many jobs lost and billions of shillings in revenue lost due to travel restrictions.
The pandemic had a disproportionate impact on sectors such as the flower export market and tourism, which were already struggling. However, in the midst of this chaos, Kenyans came together, united in their determination to overcome the challenges.
As President Uhuru Kenyatta noted in his Easter message, 'Kenyans have been tested many times before and we have always done what is necessary to pull through all difficulty and adversity. We have always found inspiration in ourselves and each other to find the sunshine after the storm.'
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the unity that emerged from it has made Kenya stronger as a nation. The Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) launched in 2018, following the historic handshake between President Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga, has been instrumental in promoting national unity.
However, some argue that the focus should be on fighting Covid-19 and restoring the economy. While this is a valid concern, the struggle for national unity must remain the ultimate priority. By putting an end to divisive politics, the lives of Kenyans can be improved, and the country can move forward.
As local leaders have repeatedly emphasized, national cohesion is a necessary prerequisite for ensuring stability. To put the country back on track after the pandemic, unity is essential for the implementation of President Kenyatta's flagship projects in the Big Four Agenda.
Coalition governments have in the past been instrumental in saving the nation, as seen in the aftermath of the 2007-2008 Post-Election Violence. The unity between Raila and Kibaki enabled the swift rebuilding of the nation, and it is a lesson that can be applied today.
