Behave or you’ll bury us, CS Kagwe warns youth

The youth have been identified as a special group that can successfully stop the spread of coronavirus in Kenya. In a poetically delivered speech given by Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe yesterday, he told the youth that if they do not act now and become part of the solution, they will soon be called upon to bury their parents and grandparents.

Clean public places

The CS told them to organise themselves in groups that can clean public places, help in enforcing rules, and adhering to regulations meant to curb the spread of the disease.

He noted with concern that young people are not taking set rules seriously, and they are in turn endangering the entire population.

“Youth are the biggest population in the country. They have the energy and they are largely mobile. They are carriers of the disease and can take it to their parents. Let them unleash their energy in fighting this disease,” he said.

Kagwe reminded them that they are the ones who will bear the biggest burden of a failed economy, face their children with messages of unemployment, and crumble on the weight of older people who will be dying in large numbers.

“Is that what you want? Young people, you will bury us in large numbers if you do not change. Let us be ready to protect this country,” he said.

The CS was particularly concerned by reports of some 6,000 people who were planning to have a meeting in Nairobi, describing such plans as illogical even as he vowed not to let something like that happen.

He also announced that four more people have been diagnosed with coronavirus, bringing the number of the infected to be 126. Four people, including a child, have since died of the disease. Of the newly diagnosed cases, three are Kenyans and one Pakistani. So far, 1866 people who have been in quarantine having been tested, and 184 are remaining. They are still doing contact tracing, and 672 people are being monitored.

The minister said the Kenyatta University Training Hospital has now been operationalised and there are over 20 people who are currently under isolation in the institution. He also said that researchers at the Kenya Medical Research Institute are working on items that are used to test coronavirus.

Kagwe said he was pleased by recent developments where Kenyans could now make personal protective equipment for medics and general population to prevent spread of the viral disease. 

He condoned with the family of Dauti Kibati, saying he made an ultimate sacrifice to evacuate Kenyans in the US, and that Kenyans owe him

Kagwe said usage of masks in all public places and especially supermarkets should begin with immediate effect, and that mass manufacture of masks has started, and they will soon be available in counties through county officials.

“That does not mean you sit and wait for masks. You can take initiative and buy because they are available at a cheap price,” he said.

Ministry of Health Director General Patrick Amoth said they have gotten cases from as young as two years old, and reminded parents to ensure their children have limited contact with other people.

“If we do not behave like we are supposed to, we will suffer. Tough times lie ahead, but we shall overcome,” he said.