Prof. Magoha Finally Admits To Government Failure

Prof. George A. Magoha’s statement on the non-opening of schools this year was the first public admission of government's failure in managing Covid-19.

The consequences of keeping 14 million school age children at home for the rest of the year, and its impacts, have not been fully appreciated. Under the guise of opening the economy, the President lifted orders on cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi, Mandera and Mombasa. It was an acknowledgment that the mini-lockdowns had failed – people were travelling across the country and causing a spike in infections at border points in Busia, Namanga, Loitoktok and Taveta among others.

The truth is that there is very little economy to be opened. Tourism is dead, transport is in crisis, and education is suspended. The past four months have been squandered -- so there are no preparations in terms of health facilities; schools or other social amenities. The number of positive coronavirus tests is rising, even though there is no disclosure of where the testing is happening. The authorities have lost control of this crisis. The government has left the calm waters.