The two aspects of a country that we had left behind with its many contradictions and the many positive aspects that were trying to pull behind the historical problems of poverty, endemic diseases, tribal heritage and not always sustainable and sustained growth, are now back in the limelight with the Covid-19 emergency.
Kenya wants to leave as soon as possible and President Kenyatta made no secret of this a few days ago, announcing that the curfew and lockdown of the counties closed from the outside will soon be over.
At the same time, however, the leader, who for the past two years has been almost completely supported by his former political opponent Raila Odinga (as was the case for their respective parents), has made it clear that for the first time the National Day of Independence, Madaraka Day, will have a virtual celebration and not the classic public ceremony in a stadium with a large turnout, gangs and parade of the various police forces included.
Yesterday, then, faced with the optimism that leaks out among the managers of the activities that are reopening, in the capital Nairobi as well as in the main cities of the nation, and in the airlines that are probing the Kenyan market to resume routes as soon as possible, there is an explosion of positive cases in the slums, the poor ghettos of the metropolis, especially Mathare and Kibera.
The first targeted swabs have revealed that the presence of the virus, although without very serious cases, is ingrained and certainly the indiscipline of the people who are already leading a hard fight for survival is not conducive to the slowdown of contagion. As and more than in Western countries, however, people who die are already sick and above all diabetics and cancer patients. The low average age of the country helps to keep the percentage of people hospitalized and in serious health conditions below levels of concern and in the meantime allows the Government to organize itself better and better to cope with a possible peak, which the World Health Organization foresees for Sub-Saharan Africa between the end of June and mid-July.
The tourism sector would like to reopen in time to offer the many sea and savannah enthusiasts an extra opportunity for freedom, in a place where a holiday in itself is an invitation to social distance, with its many immense beaches and parks where there is literally room for everyone.
Even this territory, from March to today, has already understood that with the "Corona" you live from day to day and that you can not yet lower your guard, even if in the face of the contagion so easy, its dangerousness in these parts is all to be demonstrated.
Much will depend on the ability to act well in contexts of aggregation, such as the slums or Islamic quarters, such as the communities of villages which have always been accustomed to mass rituals and habits.
In places where hospitality is the master, and for many years now accustomed to interacting with foreigners, everything can be more manageable and starting again is a saving word, almost like immunity.