This archive report was first published on 24 May 2020.
Published on May 24, 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has emerged as the defining global health crisis of our time.
As the disease spreads exponentially, it has had an unprecedented impact on almost all economic sectors, straining governments and affecting people worldwide.
Kenya, like many other countries, has introduced stern containment measures to arrest the spread of the coronavirus.
However, the pandemic also has the potential to create devastating social, economic, and political crises with far-reaching consequences.
But as cases increase, there is solace in the fact that the government has stepped up response efforts, partnering with local and global players to combat the pandemic.
Unfortunately, these efforts are being negated by saboteurs and profiteers who are slowing down the fight against Covid-19.
These public enemies are not only those breaking the curfew but also economic saboteurs who refuse to implement government directives, such as the executive directive on tax relief.
Almost four weeks after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a two per cent VAT reduction on essential commodities, the prices at many retail outlets remain unchanged.
The prices of milk, bread, and sugar, for instance, are either the old ones or have been increased, leaving consumers to bear the brunt of the pandemic.
It is worrying that the authorities do not go after the retailers with the same zeal as they do drunkards who are locked up in bars.
Consumer regulatory agencies have failed Kenyans during the pandemic, and it is time for them to step up and protect consumers from heartless businesses that are dancing on the graves of helpless consumers.
