This archive report was first published on 25 May 2020.
Published on May 25, 2020, the government's plan to reopen the country's economic and social sectors is underway, with committees charged with various aspects of the pandemic response meeting on Sunday to come up with plans.
The National Emergency Response to Covid-19 Committee, chaired by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, is expected to present its plans to President Uhuru Kenyatta in about a week, ahead of June 6 when containment measures are set to expire.
President Kenyatta cited global trends and said Kenya would not remain under lockdown forever, but emphasized the need for personal discipline in following safety measures to reduce infections.
Transport minister James Macharia said the aviation sector would be a priority, with a view to get Kenya Airways up again, and the Madaraka Express train service would also start operating once restrictions on travel from Mombasa and Nairobi are lifted.
However, Health boss Kagwe warned that if everyone took personal responsibility in the fight against the pandemic, there would be no need for any containment measures, but this has not been the case.
Experts have expressed fear that the government is inviting a disaster whose effects might not be felt immediately, given that the government was not doing mass testing.
Public health expert Patrick Oyaro said the question the government should be grappling with before making any move is whether the nation will adhere to the guidelines and if the government can minimise the damage.
