Let’s remain vigilant as we reopen economy, says President Uhuru
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday addressed weary but expectant citizens seeking leadership through one of the worst crises in the nation’s history.
Exactly seven months ago, he established the National Emergency Response Committee on Coronavirus on 28 February, responding to a pandemic that had thrown the whole world into a monumental panic.
The President has every month since addressed the nation faced with a dilemma he admits warrants delicate sober expert reflection from a health, socio-economic and political perspective.
He elucidated the same difficult choices during his speech yesterday on the national response to the pandemic, well aware of the implications of the consequences.
In establishing the emergency committee, President Uhuru was counselled that political will is vital in preventing the spread of the deadly disease and instituting measures to curb its devastating impact on lives and livelihoods.
Kenyans are reeling from the unprecedented public health crisis compounded by economic doldrums and the severe impacts of climate change on food security, livelihoods, social cohesion and security, and political stability.
More troubling is that Covid-19 threatens to undermine development gains and disrupt the fragile process of conflict resolution and nation building currently at the top of the political agenda.
However, the most urgent concern facing the nation as the President pointed out is how to safely get the ravaged economy back on track - a challenging task in a fragile health system complicated by massive job losses, a stagnating informal sector and corruption.
The authorities must heed caution from World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that government, communities and individuals must take seriously.
“If countries are serious about opening, they must be serious about suppressing transmission and saving lives. Opening without having control, is a recipe for disaster,” warns the WHO chief.
It is a daunting balancing act, but it can be done if countries are in control of transmission.
Optimistically, Kenya is well positioned to execute measures to control transmission.
Ministry of Health Acting Director-General Dr Patrick Amoth was in May elected vice-president of the WHO executive board, representing Africa. To control transmission we must not be lulled into complacency, since the virus is still very much in our midst, spreading in the communities.
Dr Amoth is worried about the emergence of a more dangerous second wave already reported in some countries, affecting all age groups and sparing no one.
As we re-engage to conduct businesses, worship and return to work places to reboot our battered economy, we should remain vigilant to prevent circumstances that could lead to outbreaks.
Covid-19 spreads fast among clusters of people, with explosive outbreaks linked to public gatherings.
Let us gather safely; reopening decisions made with a risk-based approach, tailored to local conditions.
The emergency committee must continue enforcing the stringent measures.
Achieving a resilient recovery in the coming years will not be easy. It will be painful and expensive, costing hundreds of billions of shillings amid high public debt and limited fiscal space.
To build back better for economic revival, government must invest in public health for a healthier, safer and resilient future as the foundation of social, economic and political stability. — [email protected]
