President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday gave an albeit subtle hint that the recently lifted restrictions against the spread of Covid-19 could soon be brought back.
President Kenyatta spoke at the All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi County where he joined Anglican faithful in marking the 50th anniversary of the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK).
According to the Head of State, the impending lockdown could, however, be unnecessary only if Kenyans take up the government’s call for personal responsibility seriously.
He commended the Anglican church for following the Ministry of Health guidelines during the Sunday service, further urging the rest of the country to follow suit to avoid a second wave of the virus which will lead to return of restrictions.
“I am actually quite impressed today, because we have been having a serious Covid-19 problem today and it is growing, and on an occasion like this that is so central and critical to your history, you have managed to put together a service where you are obeying and following all the necessary laid down protocols that have been set; hongera sana, pongezi,” said the President.
“We’re going through that very difficult time of saying ‘now what do we do again, do we close up?’ We shall be coming back to that…not today, but soon…but when I see this, it says that we don’t have to (go into lockdown) if only people would observe (guidelines) and would be caring of their fellow citizens.”
President Kenyatta added: “It is possible to keep Covid-19 at bay and still be able to live and lead a normal life. I only wish that this issue of personal responsibility would be taken to heart because truly, we are facing a major challenge. When we reopened we agreed that people take up personal responsibility, and I’m glad to say the Anglican church has taken up that call, and if we all did it we would keep Covid-19 at bay and be able to continue to drive our economic agenda.”
The Head of State also commended the Kenyan church for being at the forefront of driving socio-economic and political change in the country.
He said the church has over the years played the role of holding Kenya’s political leadership to account and encouraged the clergy to continue being the country’s “conscience.”
“Yes you are out there to save souls but you are also out there to serve and ensure that the will of your people is followed and committed by their leaders,” he stated.
