This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
As the nation awaits President Uhuru Kenyatta's address on the new measures to combat Covid-19, Starehe MP Jaguar has sounded the alarm on the economic impact of the restrictions. In a tweet on June 6, 2020, Jaguar claimed that 342,300 Kenyans had lost their jobs in the last two months due to the curfew and restriction of movement imposed by the government.
“342, 300 Kenyans have lost their jobs in the last 2 months. Millions will lose theirs if the status quo remains. The risk of economic collapse is real. Hunger & depression will overwhelm Kenyans. I urge His Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta, to reopen the economy,” Jaguar tweeted.
Despite the government's efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, Jaguar argued that Kenyans have shown they can follow instructions to protect themselves and their communities. He cited the widespread adoption of facemasks, handwashing, and social distancing as evidence of this.
“Kenyans understand the dangers of Covid-19. They’ve shown that they care for their fellow Kenyans by wearing masks, washing their hands, & maintaining social distance. Moreover, they’ve observed the nationwide curfew & the lockdown in Eastleigh, Nairobi and Mombasa (Old Town),” Jaguar added.
