Kenya, as of 11th July, stands at 9,448 COVID-19 cases, with 2,733 recovered and 181 deaths. Authorities have issued a warning to all the hospitals country-wide as it will be overwhelming in the coming weeks with a projected peak of cases.
Despite the previous loan from the World Bank, Kenya again received $43 million (Sh4.6billion) to strengthen the situation in hospitals and fight against coronavirus.
Many counties were ill-prepared for this scenario and are able to improvise their facilities with the money they received in June. The Government has planned for a phased reopening, including loosening restrictions for travel. However, the curfews still remain for 30 more days.
Tourism has plummeted amid coronavirus, and many wildlife reserves are threatened due to low income and economy. Roughly half of the total revenue has been lost, and they have zero bookings at the moment.
Despite the rise of cases, the local flights are expected to resume from 15th July, and international travel apparently will resume from the first week of August.
The public was warned to exercise cautious behaviour as it is an individual responsibility to be careful while going into the public places.
Prior to the pandemic, the sustainable development goals were supposed to be achieved by 2030. During the pandemic, the years of development and progress has been set back just within a few months to regain the whole development.
With the pandemic, lockdowns and curfews, the people who work hand-to-mouth are struggling the most. School children have also experienced a massive impact during these hard times.
Some parents are trying to keep them continuing studying so that they won’t forget what they have already learned. However, Kenya’s situation is unique as less than a quarter of the population has access to the internet and other virtual learning options making it almost impossible to learn from online classes.
As it is the rainy season now, many boys are helping the families with planting the crops and farm work.
Girls continue to be at high risk; teen pregnancies have been increasing as many girls are sexually abused or raped by a family member. Four thousand teen pregnancies have been recorded between February and May. For these girls, this will mean the end of the road for their education, as, by the time the schools reopen, they will be responsible for raising their own children.
We are trying our best to help some of the families by collecting donations to open a small business and providing them basic needs. It is going to be a long way for Kenyans to get their lives back on track, but by being considerate of each other, pulling together, and receiving support, they will survive.
References:
https://www.nation.co.ke/kenya/news/covid-19-kenya-nears-10-000-cases-as-278-more-test-positive-1493002
https://mg.co.za/education/2020-07-09-covid-19-deepens-kenyas-educational-divide/
https://citizentv.co.ke/news/coronavirus-cases-in-kenya-hit-10105-after-379-more-people-test-positive-338566/
Written by: Chandini Balla
