Effects Of Covid-19 Pandemic in Kenya

Introduction

Coronavirus disease of 2019, also known as COVID-19, has been one of the worst pandemics ranked by WHO, MPH and many other public health organizations. Since Covid was discovered in Wuhan, China, it has continued to ravage the world, tearing apart critical sectors like education, economy and health.

Initially seen as an epidemic in China, it has continued to spread faster to other nations and was declared a pandemic in March 2020 by WHO. Questions linger in everyone’s mind, yet they seem to find no answers, as they see many countries locked down. Will life ever get back to normal? Will we ever stop wearing masks, being quarantined or locked down?

In Kenya, the pandemic has touched every single life, be it in the entertainment, political, health or education sector.

Covid-19 and Education

If you were a parent, how do you feel when you see your child’s future shuttered for one full academic year because of a virus? You couldn’t agree more that it’s frustrating. In Kenya, schools were closed from kindergarten to varsities to curb the spread of the virus. We all experienced a standstill on the academic calendar. We would agree that this created a one-year gap in our children’s road to success.

Well, other than that, the education sector had to plan on how they would accommodate students back while adhering to the COVID-19 rules set by the government. Remember, we have to social

distant ourselves 1m apart. Could a class of capacity of 50 students still accommodate the same number while social distancing? Impossible! Solving the mystery was far much than over.

Covid-19 ravaging the Health Sector

Covid was like an uninvited guest to Kenya’s health sector. There was no room not only to accommodate but also a bed to lay its head. Well, as a guest who came with its terms and conditions, the householder, Kenya’s public health, had to accommodate the uninvited guest and live by its terms.

Personal protective equipment (PPEs), self-isolation centers, covid-19 patient wards, ICUs and many other covid terms had to be set up. As covid continues to spread nationwide, the public health sector continues to create awareness, issuing vaccines and pushing for more vaccine bids.

Covid entertaining the entertainment industry

If Covid was a person, ‘he’ would be the trending trillionaire. Leaving alone, Kenya, the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged the entertainment industry globally. Public gatherings were banned. Hotels, conference halls, cinemas were closed with only insects left buzzing in them.

It is encouraging to see our entertainers embracing online entertainment. They have created YouTube channels, Instagram, TikTok and some, their own websites. As I call it, ‘soft entertainment’, has once again shed light and brought a smile to our artists’ faces. Now we can be entertained at the comfort of our homes. Kudos to the online platforms that have made this possible to our artists.

Covid Politics

Well, I’m not political, but without a doubt, everyone in Kenya seems to understand that the 2022 elections are nearing. Yet, who is covid to allow political rallies or gatherings? Will the politicians hold their campaigns via zoom, google meet or start a program like Tusker Project Fame (TPF) and ask for votes. Imagine politician A on Citizen TV, “Hi, I’m politician A, please vote for me. My number is four (4). Thank you.” Well, I, Covid and you will have to wait and see what will transpire.

Conclusion

The nightmare of covid is far from over. Could you have lost a job? Or lost a loved one in death? Take courage! All these will soon be over, but for now, it’s important to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols as set by the Ministry of Health (MoH).