This week marks exactly one year since the COVID-19 Pandemic was discovered in Kenya. – By Gerald Gekara.
In one year, COVID-19 cases in the country have hit 110,356, while the death toll from the virus is currently at 1,898.
It will also be exactly one year since the President imposed a series of presidential orders aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
SInce the pandemic was reported in the country, there has been a compulsory curfew to prevent ‘unnecessary’ movement of people. The measures have run many out of businesses with the entertainment, leisures and hospitality businesses being worst hit.
Others have been forced to shut down completely, owing to scarce businesses and retrenchment of key staff.
Despite all this, a section of Kenyans scorn at political leaders who seem to flaunt the regulations without fear of correction.
Massive rallies have been the order of the day, with only a handful still dorning facemasks.
One would be riddled to think that the same country carries out arrests on citizens found walking around without a mask.
Education institutions have completely failed to control crowding students, raising fears that the third wave would signal another closure of the academic calendar.
The country has so far lost several icons including Papa Shirandula, who died while seeking treatment over the same.
Families have had to undergo immense suffering, stigma and emotional trauma over how burial rites have eroded the dignity of the dead.
A Week long mourning season has been reduced to a 24 – 48 hour affair, just to keep families safe from the virus.
However, the Ministry of Health remains hopeful that once the government completes its mass vaccination campaign, life would be returning back to normal.
1 Million doses of COVID-19 were delivered through the COVAX Program spearheaded by the United Nations, to avail vaccines for third world countries.
While receiving the very first vaccine shot in the country, Health Services DG Dr. Patrick Amoth urged Kenyans to continue keeping their guard against the pandemic.
So far, over 5,000 health care workers have been vaccinated from the virus, as the ministry gallops towards its 1 Million target.
Dr. Amoth assured Kenyans that the vaccine is safe and free for all.
However, as Mutahi Kagwe signified the third wave, stringent measures to curtail COVID-19 may be extended for another 3 months or so.
Personal responsibilities to protect ourselves and families from the virus will ensure the so called wave is kept at bay so we can maximize the new normal.
