With Covid, let’s remember we aren’t out of the woods

The impact of Covid-19 on the private sector has trickled down to households. We have experienced job losses and lower pay.

Unemployment has almost doubled compared to the pre-covid level. Residents who are still employed have to work more for less pay since many organisations let go of a huge number of their staff.

The economic and social disruptions from the Covid-19 pandemic have eroded progress in poverty reduction in Kenya, forcing an estimated two million more Kenyans into poverty.

Before coronavirus, the country was struggling to solve the issue of poverty, but it has worsened. The private sector is facing reduced consumption and demand for input. This has disrupted supply chains, limiting access to intermediate goods, labour, and sales.

It has also trickled down to households’ welfare via reduced job opportunities and lower earnings. Almost one in three household-run businesses are not operating currently, with revenues decreasing across all sectors.

The government should look at ways of solving such problems by creating more job opportunities.