10 May 2020

As Kenya celebrated Labour Day on Friday, one of the things workers were relieved about is the partial lockdown imposed by the government to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Workers noted that the measure has helped to save jobs and livelihoods as the east African nation battles to contain the spread of the disease.

The partial lockdown, which includes a dusk to dawn curfew imposed across the country and restriction of movement of people in and out of the capital and other four counties, has enabled Kenyans to continue with income-generating activities.

Kenyans had called for a total lockdown as COVID-19 cases rose as some stockpiled food, but the government went for the partial lockdown.

The result is that businesses, both big and small, continue to operate securing livelihoods for millions of households.

"A total lockdown would have destroyed businesses and incomes for millions of people," said Jared Kyalo, who runs a welding workshop in Kitengela on the south of Nairobi.

Kyalo noted that during the period of the partial lockdown, he has been able to secure two major works.

"I am currently building doors and windows for a block of flats. It is the work that I got during the pandemic. This would not have been possible in case of a total lockdown," he said.

He has also been able to carry out repairs at a private university on the outskirts of Nairobi.

"I have employed six workers who have helped me do the jobs. We have never closed our business during this period and this is because of the partial lockdown," he said.

His sentiments are shared by hundreds of other small and big business operators.

Big businesses that have remained open include supermarkets, petrol stations, car sellers and distributors of various products.

Similarly, small operators like meat sellers, grocery stores, masons, mobile money agents, carpenters, farmers, barbershops and salons have continued with their operations.

"For me little has changed in terms of business operations through the number of those coming to transact," said Valery Atieno, an attendant at a mobile money shop in Nairobi, acknowledging that if there was lockdown, she would have lost her job.

With most people staying at home and using the internet, it has been a busy time for Bernard Mwaso, the owner of Edell It Solution in Nairobi, a startup.

"The number of clients increased four-fold this period. Most parents wanted their children to school from home thus a majority installed the internet. This is one of the things that gave us business," he said.

Bimal Kantaria, the chairman of the National Agriculture Sector Network observed that the partial lockdown, which has allowed movement of farm produce and inputs despite the restrictions, has facilitated business.

Ernest Manuyo, a lecturer at Pioneer Institute in Nairobi, said total lockdown would have hurt Kenyans badly.

"A majority of them have been able to pay salaries from their minimal operations unlike if there was a total lockdown," he said.

The government has achieved two goals through the objective that keeps the economy running and curb the spread of the disease, he noted.

Kenya's COVID-19 cases hit 411 on Friday as recoveries stood at 150, with Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said the government has done well to manage the disease.

Kenya's economy is expected to contract 1.5 percent this year from 5.4 percent last year due to the coronavirus, according to the World Bank. Ends