This archive report was first published on 21 May 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Kenya, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen has urged the government to keep schools closed until at least January 2021.
According to the latest COVID-19 results released on Thursday, 80 new cases were reported, the highest single day infections in Kenya. Acting Director General Dr. Patrick Amoth warned that the country will be reporting at least 200 cases daily in August.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had initially shut down all schools on March 15 as a measure to curb the spread of the virus. Education CS George Magoha later announced that schools will be closed until at least June 4, and President Kenyatta extended the partial lockdown to June 6.
However, with the projected peak of the virus expected in August-September, Senator Murkomen believes that there is no way schools can be reopened at this time. He has advised the government to suspend learning until at least January 2021.
"I Don’t foresee and I don’t think it’s wise to open schools until at least January 2021," Senator Murkomen tweeted on May 21, 2020.
