This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
As Kenya marks nearly three months under a nationwide lockdown, President Uhuru Kenyatta is under pressure to ease containment measures that have led to the loss of thousands of jobs and billions in economic losses. The president was expected to announce some form of ease on June 6, 2020, but Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has strongly hinted at a continued lockdown due to a sharp increase in new infections.
Kenya has reported 2,474 Covid-19 positive cases, the highest among EAC member states, and 79 deaths. The government is exploring the possibility of home-based care and community-based facilities to decongest and save healthcare facilities from being overwhelmed. Acting Director General of Health Patrick Amoth says this approach has worked before, particularly during the early days of HIV infections.
President Kenyatta has directed stakeholders in key sectors to collate views and put in place measures to re-open the economy to near normalcy. Plans are underway to change the school calendar, with proposals to have schools re-open in September.
