Coronavirus: We are making progress – Kenya’s health minister

As Kenya continues to report more cases of Covid-19, the government nonetheless says it believes it is making progress in containing further spread of the virus.

In a virtual address in the 73rd World Health Assembly, Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said that the country was “making significant and steady progress” towards flattening the curve.

“We have learnt many lessons along the way and continue to apply mitigation measures day by day,” he said.

The government has been criticised for how it has handled the pandemic since the first case was reported on 13 March.

The Kenya Medical Association says that the decision to impose movement restrictions in some parts of the country was not based on any health or scientific recommendations.

“Having therefore had no scientific rationale or preparation before strict movement restrictions were imposed in several parts of the country, it is difficult to know the extent of the pandemic in the country at the moment,” Dr Jackline Kitulu, president of the association said.

Last Friday, President Uhuru Kenyatta extended the lockdown by another 21 days owing to the rise of new infections in the country.

The country has 912 confirmed cases of coronavirus.