Explaining the reasons for a very painful decision in which "there was not a right or wrong decision to be made, but two probably right decisions to be reasoned on", President Kenyatta, addressing the nation, extended most of the restrictive measures by 30 days, postponing to other meetings during the next week subsequent decisions.
Among the most important decisions communicated by Kenyatta, the extension of the curfew from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., starting tomorrow, Sunday, June 7, and the advance at 4 a.m. for the end of the curfew.
From tomorrow, the counties of Kilifi and Kwale will also be reopened to traffic, while those of Nairobi, Mombasa and Mandera will remain closed, while the lockdown for the Old Town of Mombasa and the Eastleigh district in Nairobi will cease.
There is no good news for those who would like to come to Kenya soon or for foreigners and businessmen who would like to go abroad.
For now the skies will not reopen, while the President has announced that in 7 days measures will be taken to reopen domestic flights.
"Since last March 27th we have announced several measures to contain the pandemic and some have been extended. This has happened for the curfew, the closure of borders and airports and five counties at risk - said the President - If we had to cancel the measures how will the pandemic in our country? And if we were to continue with the restrictions, what would happen to our economy, our jobs and the future of the people? As you can see, we are faced with a great dilemma, in which there is no need to decide whether to make a right or a wrong decision, but we have to think about two potentially right decisions".
So these are the decisions of the Government, for now: reopening of Kilifi and Kwale counties and Eastleigh districts in Nairobi and Old Town in Mombasa from 4 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, extending the initial curfew to 9 a.m. (two hours more than the previous one) and reopening at 4 a.m. (one hour earlier than the previous one).
No cancellation of the curfew, therefore, as many hoped, nor extension until 11 p.m. to allow restaurants and bars to return almost to their previous activity.
Just as there will be no opening of Kenya abroad, through international airports.
The containment measures, in this case, have been extended for another 30 days.
"We have given a lot of thought, with even divergent opinions," Kenyatta admitted, "some people including me would like to open now, and I am sure that many of you agree with you. We need to resume our path and our growth which was one of the best in Africa. Others are against it and have their own experience and reasons. With these distinguished reasons we have discussed at the table, both have weighed their motives but this has increased doubts. In the absence of clear answers, we must rely on science and health experts, just as we take into account the opinions of our economists. How can we contain the disease without afflicting the economy?"
According to the Government, there are not yet the technical conditions for each county to face the possible growth of the pandemic in the country, considering that projections for the end of July foresee about 30 thousand infected, but in the idea of a reopening even partial could count 800 thousand with 27 thousand dead.
"The counties will receive funds but will have to adjust their services, until they have 300 beds in isolation to accommodate any infected - said the President - just to be clear, the county of Siaya currently has only 10, with 9 hospitalized, other counties have 34 and are already full. An immediate reopening with these numbers is unthinkable. On the other hand, there is money but it is not enough, it takes time to adapt, expand and organize the structures.
Also for this reason, in the coming weeks, every nerve centre in the country, together with the ministries, will draw up protocols for the gradual reopening of the economy and the education sector.
"Schools will have to prepare for reopening on September 1, while in seven days' time the Ministry of the Interior will decide with the religious congregations the gradual return of the faithful to places of worship - added President Kenyatta - within 14 days other concessions for the economic sector will be decided, while as far as other gatherings, functions and meetings are concerned, the ban on more than 15 people is extended by another 30 days".