Difficult calls in leadership are the hallmark of the trade. These needlessly should never be popular… Or resonate well with a majority of the people – By Henry Kimoli
On March 13 2020, the Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announced Kenya’s first coronavirus case, signifying the start of an awful chapter in handling his very first assignment, a global pandemic.
Kagwe had walked the baby step, in an audacious move to succeed where Italy, Spain and the US had failed.
Peer review suggestions and statistics scaring as they are proving that Kagwe has won the first battle against Covid 19, and maintained it at 303 infections, 40 days after the first case.
In what has been described by Kenyans as the very first time the government has contained an international emergency and pandemic, Kagwe has won rave reviews from international media.
To stream order into the operation defeat COVID 19, the President has delegated the coordination to the health ministry, National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus, and The National Security Council.
A month or so ago, President Uhuru Kenyatta decreed a curfew. Three weeks ago; he ordered cessation of movement to and from the Coastal trip and Nairobi.
In both cases, rather than resolving to chest thump as the Commander in Chief, he attributed his decision to the National Security Council. If you like, the deep state, as Professor Makau Mutua likes to pronounce it.
This humility resonates well with what the President has variously said, that the Covid 19 pandemic is a war being waged by an invisible enemy, against the world.
Generals are all Kenyans
Locally, the Generals are all Kenyans. The foot soldiers are doctors, paramedics, the Police, and all cadres of professionals designated as essential services providers.
This approach by the Government is the reason Kenya is receiving accolades from all over the world, for daring to stand up against the Coronavirus.
This said, there is no shortage of fools in Kenya if events being reported in the media are anything to go by.
Health CS Mutahi Kagwe and the multi-agency team have repeatedly warned against the growing prevalence of the disease. But nay-sayers continue to drag Kenya back to the Covid-19 arena.
Do your part, this is not a government disease
The mad escape from quarantine centers by more than 60 people cannot escape censure. First, these are idiots. They are senseless, brainless pigs, on a death wish mission. They have converted Covid 19 into weapon of destruction…a suicide bomb of sorts.
They deserve to be in prison…because they are potential mass murder suspects. This brings us to the next question; If their escape madness had led to a fatal fall, who would take the blame?
“This is not a government disease. It’s for everyone. Those who are helping us, are those we are following the measures we have put in place….. People need to police themselves in such matters as this.”
