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Almost exactly two years to the day that Kenya's first case of COVID-19 was reported, Mutahi Kagwe, the country's Health Cabinet secretary announced that Kenya's public mask-wearing mandate had been reversed and that fully vaccinated travellers into and out of Kenya wouldn't need to show a PCR test. Life may never return to what it was before COVID-19, and the lessons from these past two years should remain top of mind, even if masks are going down.
This week on the Deep Dive, journalist Tebby Otieno shares an article with important lessons about Kenya's public healthcare, learnt in the depths of the pandemic. We also published our final episode of "THAO", our series on money. There too, the same lessons on investment in public healthcare are repeated, as Thao tells us the difference between having money and having power. Your feedback on the series has been very encouraging. We'd love to do a second season; if you think we should too, drop us a line in the comments section or on our socials.
One last thing. If you like the work that we do and would like to support it, you can now become an Africa Uncensored Patreon! Click on this link, choose the amount you'd like to contribute and you're all set.
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COVID-19 lessons in Kenya: Invest in healthcare, curb public waste
By Tebby Otieno
Between 1st October 2020 to 4th January 2021, Kenya experienced its second wave of COVID-19 which saw 104,991 people infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which was 62,429 people more than the 42,499 from the first wave. This meant that the number of people that needed emergency support went up as well. According to the daily media briefing by the Ministry of Health during that period, 6,761 patients were reported to be on supplementary oxygen and ventilator support in Kenya. This number peaked in November with a record of 3,596 patients before going down to 2,529 in December…
Kenya recently reversed its mask mandate as COVID-19 infections continue to fall nationwide. There are signs that the country’s healthcare system will emerge from the pandemic stronger, but proper management of Kenya’s resources remains in ICU. Therein lies Kenya’s dilemma for the future.
Read the rest of the article here.
YOUR FEEDBACK: THE “THAO” SERIES
Keith Ochizvillé - Representing county 007, last episode made me think hard on Fuliza. Got hooked on THAO since ep2. 10 Millionaires and ten million beggars.
Glenn Ogolah - A+ journalism. Keep it up. Loved the language and using money's perspective to tell the story. I also loved that you told the stories of real people affected by how Kenya's economy works and the consequences of having such a system. I'm glad you found them and gave them a voice.
George Mungai - Very informative kwanza Mpesa wee am keeping away from it and silly misuse of my money.
Matthew awori - Africa uncensored is the only cure my dear Kenyans
Ian matas - This Thao series is a masterpiece...i am learning a lot. Thank you.
@ekgrdio - You have to respect the work @AfUncensored have done with the #THAO videos on YouTube.
@horack_k - “Brayo” on the soft life budget pale @AfUncensored interesting and informative documentary.
@that_bloke_kiri - @AfUncensored loving your Thao series very very much. great stuff, well broken down, well packaged...
@tonynzaka - The money and power story is very true. When real change is about to happen, money changes hands and power is (mis)used to drive selfish interests. This is a tactic used the world over. Another truth: deep state is real. Let's see what happens in August. Praying for peace.
Editorial Director: John-Allan Namu
Assignment Editor: Sam Munia
Social Media Manager: Muraguri Gitahi
Contributors: Tebby Otieno
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