Kenya is currently considering, towards the end of August, loosening most of the restrictions still in place in order to definitively reopen the country and return to normality.
Rumours have been circulating since the beginning of the month that the curfew regime will end, at least for certain categories.
In recent days, the government has held intensive talks with national bus and matatu associations. Initially, the representatives of the public transport sector were satisfied with the possibility of returning to full capacity on large and small matatu, i.e. those with 14 seats and those with 25 seats. Of course, the protocols requiring people to wear a mask for the entire journey and to have their body temperature measured and sanitised remain in place.
Subsequently, Bus Owners Association president Abubakar Twalib told the press that President Kenyatta is considering reopening night travel for matatu and buses, thus restoring the long routes that have always been operated with evening departures and early morning arrivals, such as the Mombasa-Nairobi route.
Twalib hinted that approval could come in a fortnight.
This will be possible because the new cases of Covid-19, although still high in percentage, do not seem so serious and the country's intensive care units could slowly empty.
At this point, the country might be willing, from what we read, to lift the curfew after 16 months, or at least limit it to those few activities not considered safe, such as pubs and discos, as well as for political rallies and other gatherings.
The Government's desire to restart and give new impetus to Kenya's economy is great, as well as the need to make Kenyans happy and gain consensus and popularity in view of the national elections in 2022.