Defining moment as new measures take effect this week

This week could be a defining moment in Kenya’s battle against the Covid-19 pandemic as reopening measures announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta take full effect, experts said.

The return of activities involving movement, crowding and interactions will accelerate the rise towards the peak of infection numbers if health and safety protocols are not strictly observed.

Travel on standard gauge railway trains resumes tomorrow, places of worship reopen from Tuesday and domestic flights are back the following day.

Public transport vehicles operators are also likely to be allowed on the road after meeting the new licensing rules.

Residents of Nairobi and Mombasa counties – the country’s coronavirus hotspots – have begun the exodus to their villages.

  NECESSARY CERTIFICATES

Several bus companies and shuttle operators say they have complied with the rules while others are still in the process of getting the necessary certificates from the Ministry of Health and the National Transport Safety Authority Periska Bus Ltd manager Nicholas Madanje yesterday said the company’s vehicles have been fumigated and drivers tested for coronavirus.

“We have done all we can to comply with the new guidelines,” Mr Madanje said.

However, some buses and matatus are breaking rules on passenger numbers.

This, the government has warned, could lead to a sharp rise in Covid-19 numbers since social distancing is not observed.

Prof Matilu Mwau, a scientist at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, says if citizens follow the measures given by the Health Ministry, Covid-19 will be defeated.

“I will not say we were ready or not for a reopening but Kenyans must learn to be on their own and take precautions,” Prof Mwau told the Sunday Nation.

“We are headed to the peak and the numbers might not be good.”

Mr Julius Wango has not gone to church since March when religious houses were ordered shut.

He is happy with the easing of the restrictions and will be in church on Sunday.

100-WORSHIPPERS

“I will attend the prayers, even if it means waiting till late afternoon. The 100-worshippers-a-time rule makes things difficult,” he said.

But Mr Wango says he knows these are uncertain times, a message shared by a church leaders.

There are countries which have closed churches after reopening, following a rise in coronavirus infections.

There was an article in the New York Times last week of a church in Texas where about 50 people contracted the virus when a pastor allowed hugging.

The paper said some places of worship had been sent into deep soul-searching, a warning to countries like Kenya that are reopening.

The responsibility of ensuring the Covid-19 containment measures are followed at places of worship has been placed on the church, mosque or temple leaders.

Germany and the American state of California have urged worshippers to avoid singing.

With singing allowed in Kenya, it may mean lots of shedding of the virus and an unprecedented rate of infections.

The reopening measures announced by President Kenyatta on Monday and later expounded by the Inter-Religious Faith Council on Tuesday said 100 people would be allowed at a place of worship at any time, and that a service should not exceed an hour.

Even with these rules, questions still abound.  Will worshippers sing and pray with face masks on?

While city based churches are eager for prayers, their leaders are afraid to reopen. And, may remain shut for long.

Some have issued order of service protocols. Christ Is The Answer Ministries and All Saints Cathedral are among churches that have asked their members to remain at home.

The members have been advised to continue following the services on virtual platforms or TV.

“Following the presidential directive...we would like to inform you that we will not reopen the cathedral in the next few weeks,” a memo by All Saints Cathedral Provost Sammy Wainaina said.

“This is to allow a task force we have put in place to develop protocols suited to our context.

Additional reporting by Daniel Ogetta.