The impact of COVID-19 in Kenya

It has been a difficult start to the year and a tough few months for many countries around the world. We have been faced with an extraordinary challenge of fighting for our own survival which is being threatened by an invisible enemy in the coronavirus (SARS COV 2)  that is responsible for COVID 19. Kenya has not been spared and we are facing this pandemic although at a less severe scale but only time will tell how bad it gets.

The country is currently in the phase of containing the spread through the community. The Government is working hard to contain the spread and it has recently ramped up testing to identify infected persons as early as possible. It has also put up measures that limit transmission at community level and majority of Kenyans are comfortable with them. The public has also demonstrated a lot of discipline in adhering to the set guidelines which is quite commendable. Early education on control and prevention of the disease has really helped. 

We are however yet to see a clear exit strategy from the Government but I believe it has a team of experts advising it properly on both the short term and the long term solutions to this pandemic from a scientific point of view. Being a student of science, I can only wish I was part of the team devising solutions but I hope to learn from the experts for now.

Since learning in schools has been suspended, we are having to study at home now and we are also doing some learning online. It has been quite challenging but we are coping well now that our ways of life have been adjusted. We have to stay at home for much of the time and it is okay because it is a preventative measure that will help save our lives.

On my part, I also spend time educating my family and community on COVID-19. It is the little I can do for now and I am happy to do it. 

From my point of view as a science student, I believe we are headed in the right direction as a country and I trust the Government and health care workers but testing still needs to be scaled up to determine the true extent of the spread. The increase in hygiene practices mean that diseases such as diarrhoea and typhoid among others will reduce significantly. There will also be a reduction in respiratory illnesses due to less pollution and it is a really good thing. Meanwhile, we can only hope that we overcome the pandemic with time and our lives return to normalcy as soon as possible.

In conclusion, I want to thank you  and the other trustees for your continued support and concern for us during this time and always. We appreciate your efforts a lot.