This archive report was first published on 7 June 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision not to extend the lockdown in Eastleigh and Old Town has brought back life to Kenya's largest business hub, Eastleigh.
Just hours after the President's announcement, the usually quiet streets of Eastleigh were filled with the sound of public service vehicles, hawkers, and traders calling for clients.
Along Eastleigh First Avenue, tens of trucks were seen offloading goods, while Matatu and Boda Boda operators were back in their usual spots.
Transactions worth an estimated Sh2 billion take place in Eastleigh daily, according to available data.
Residents, who had been locked down for 30 days, welcomed the President's decision, saying they can now do business and earn their daily income.
They also welcomed the extension of the dusk to dawn curfew time, which will now kick in at 9pm and end at 4am.
"It means we will now have more time to do business and also give our clients enough time to do their shopping," said Meshack Waigwa, a trader in Eastleigh.
However, some residents expressed concern over the government's handling of the lockdown, saying they had not received any financial support despite being locked down for 30 days.
"Officials captured our details a while back and yet we have never received even a coin, yet we hear million of shillings have been spent. Who are the beneficiaries?" asked George Ole Kina, a matatu conductor within Eastleigh.
Despite the concerns, residents are happy to be back to their normal lives, with many wearing masks to avoid being infected by COVID-19.
According to the Ministry of Health, at least 2,600 cases of coronavirus have been recorded in the country since the first case was registered in March, with 83 fatalities and 706 recoveries.
President Kenyatta urged Kenyans to continue observing precautionary measures to avoid further spread of the disease.
