This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
June 6, 2020, marks a day Kenyans have been eagerly anticipating, as the dusk-to-dawn curfew imposed to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus is set to end after President Uhuru Kenyatta extended it for 21 days last month.
However, recent statements from senior government officials have dampened the expectations of many Kenyans, with some resigned to the possibility of the status quo or a new order with slight changes.
On Friday, Cabinet secretaries hinted that a full opening of the economy could lead to a spike in Covid-19 cases and put vulnerable members, such as elderly parents, at risk when hosting kin from cities.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha stated that schools will not be opened soon, saying, 'The ministry will advise the level of preparedness that will be required of all stakeholders involved in the running of schools and teacher training institutions.'
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho earlier suggested a phased easing of Covid-19 restrictions to help people generate incomes, cautioning that Kenyans should not expect a sudden return to normalcy.
President Kenyatta has faced pressure from religious leaders to open places of worship, with religious organizations formally writing to him, promising to adhere to Ministry of Health guidelines.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Health CS Mutahi Kagwe met with religious leaders to discuss how to proceed with religious activities, should the government agree to relax some guidelines.
Dr. Matiang'i stated that the report's contents would be communicated by the President, while Mr. Kagwe urged religious leaders to assist in effecting home-based quarantine, a measure the government is advocating to ease Covid-19 restrictions.
