My Country is Bleeding: My people are Watching
Since the health Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, announced the first case of COVID-19 in Kenya on Friday 13th March, I have only made two trips to town. One was a visit to my barber and the other to the supermarket. Today, however, because I felt the need to personally visit my cucumber customers, I went out though reluctantly.
I transversed several parts of Nanyuki town and I did not like the way I saw my fellow countrymen behaving. They seem apathetic about what is happening in the world or even here at home in Kenya. At Kabiru, my second stop after making some deliveries at the Nanyuki Barracks, it was business as usual. Businesses being open is not my issue. Only I saw so many people who did not have to be out there. Particularly, there was this group of seven young men who were just lying under a tree. I do not want to assume that they were idle. But I felt they did not need to be out there doing nothing. They should have STAYED AT HOME.
After Kabiru my next stop was Likii. The situation was the same. So many people out while many of them did not need to be out. For example, will high school and college students argue that they are looking for their daily bread? Parents, please talk to your teenagers. A few days ago, I talked to a young man at the university. I was advising him against exposing his parents. He said that young people are strong and will beat the virus. Whereas that is largely true, kindly STAY AT HOME for our elder generation.
After Likii I followed Kenyatta Highway to where we have Huduma Centre. This place is normally not congested and so there was nothing that alarmed me there. I made my deliveries and back onto Laikipia Road.
My first stop along Laikipia Road was some place near Nyakio. Several people here had masks and gloves on. Despite these protective measures that those in the central part of the town did not have, I felt that these were more vulnerable. I particularly observed how they did not keep a safe social distance. We said those with flu-like symptoms to remain at home. I saw a few blowing their noses here. Whereas I felt safe making my deliveries elsewhere, I felt exposed and insecure here.
After this I went to the open air market. The situation was still risky. They had water and soap but I did not feel like they were protected enough. I did not see any big difference from the last time I was at the market in January.
These are just my observations and judgement.
I feel like Kenyans are not doing enough to protect themselves.
Please fellow countrymen, as the health CS said, let us not treat this abnormal situation like it is normal because if we do so, COVID-19 pandemic will treat us abnormally.
Today he also added that one should not wait to hear of a death near them to feel threatened. He said that by the time that happens, it might be your death and unfortunately you will not be in a position to witness it.
I feel exposed and will remain indoors and isolated for the next several days.
People like me who know that we have weak immune systems are very concerned when we see people behaving carelessly.
At least follow the health guidelines given to protect others if not yourself.
As the health CS has restated during each of his addresses to the nation, if we do not do what we are told, the government will be forced to take stricter measures.
At least then follow the guidelines for your own good to avoid government force.
STAY AT HOME if you do not have to be outside.