Glaring gaps in Kenya’s management of Covid-19

A nurse prepares to administer The Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected Kenya, causing serious socio-economic problems. However, the Government needs to be lauded for some of the measures it has instituted to combat Covid-19 in Kenya. Its overall strategy is underpinned by scientific advice, unlike some neighboring countries. The committee that forms the key advisory organ on matters Covid comprises well-educated experts in the field. 

However, there exist serious gaps in the government’s overall Covid 19 management strategy. The most glaring gap is the underfunding of key Covid-19 containment responses. An analysis of the various supplementary and main budgets passed by the National Assembly since the official announcement of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020 reveals several things. There have been reductions in the budgets of ministries of Health and Water and Sanitation. These two ministries are important in fighting the pandemic.