This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to spread across the country, low-income earners in Nairobi are bracing themselves for the worst, with a recent survey revealing that 59% of those surveyed expect the situation to worsen.
According to a study conducted by Tifa Research, which surveyed residents of Huruma, Kibera, Korogocho, Kawangware, and Mukuru kwa Njenga, the majority of respondents are struggling to meet their basic needs, including food and rent.
“About 60% are unemployed and this was the status over a month ago. They believe things will get worse for them,” said Maggie Ireri, CEO of Tifa Research.
The survey was released on June 7, 2020, a day after President Uhuru Kenyatta resisted calls to reopen the economy amid rising infections. Despite the President's announcement to expand weekly cash transfers to vulnerable Kenyans, the survey shows that 45% of the respondents were earning less than the minimum wage per month as set by Regulation of Wages Order 2019 even before the virus.
The Ministry of Health reported 167 new cases of Covid-19 on June 7, 2020, bringing the total number of infections to 2,767. The virus has now spread to 36 counties, with the ministry warning that Kenya will be recording at least 200 positive cases a day come August.
