United Green Movement Party Secretary General Hamissa Zaja wants President Uhuru Kenyatta to ease the coronavirus (covid-19) restrictions for Kenyans to resume economic activities.
The restrictions, including the nationwide night time curfew and the cessation of movement in and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Mandera counties was imposed to curb potential spread of the deadly virus.
Speaking during a press conference in Mombasa Saturday, just hours before President Uhuru gives his much- awaited national address on the Status of the Coronavirus in the country, Zaja said it is time to end the covid-19 restrictions and allow Kenyans to go back to work and help ease the impact of the covid-19 restrictions imposed in March.
She said the containment measures have created economic and social hardships whose effects are being felt in several parts of the country.
Zaja also accused the state of engaging in acts of impunity saying, “The restrictions cannot be sustained indefinitely and should be eased in a bid to revive the country’s crumbling economy.”
The secretary general said emphasis on curbing the spread of the virus should not be at the expense of the socio-economic fabric of the country.
Zaja said if the restrictions are not eased when practically possible they will lead members of the public across the country in defying the restrictions which are now causing sufferings.
“We cannot allow the situation to continue any longer and it is time businesses are allowed to operate through lifting the restrictions,” she said during a press conference.
Zaja said the president should in his address allow the country’s economy to function, while the government maintains an aggressive response toward containing the virus.
She said with indications that 80 percent of the covid-19 infections in the country were only mild cases, there should be no justification to continue restricting the people.
By Hussein Abdullahi
Government urged to ease coronavirus restrictions
