Good times lay ahead after Covid-19

We are experiencing one of the most difficult periods that modern Kenya has ever faced.

Coronavirus has penetrated every area of both public and private life, from the school closures and working from home, to the restrictions on movement and curfews, to the physical distancing. It is not easy.

The economic impact of the virus is imminent. The Kenyan economy is going to suffer like the rest of the world’s, and we can expect even greater challenges in the months ahead.

In the coming months, we are going to experience hardship. But this hardship need not destroy us as a nation. However difficult it is to be optimistic right now, there is good reason to be.

The French-Algerian writer Albert Camus wrote, “In the midst of winter, I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer.”

It took a dark and cold moment to realise that he was capable of instilling hope on the people.

Having bad times is part of life, but it gives you the opportunity to be reminded of all of the good things that you were not paying attention to before.

Until Covid-19 struck, Kenya was on a positive trajectory. Components of the Big Four Agenda have been accelerating our economic growth.

In particular, healthcare is getting better and better, with Universal Health Care set to rollout throughout the country in the coming months.

This will be put on hold as the Ministry of Health works to mitigate the Covid-19 crisis and takes care of all Kenyans that require intensive care.

Hospital staff should be applauded for the extra effort they are putting in their work as the fight against coronavirus continues.

It should not take a crisis to appreciate their essential work.

Before the pandemic, Kenya’s infrastructure was growing rapidly throughout the country. The   potholed and bumpy roads were being improved.

Road accidents have been one of the leading causes of death in Kenya. But the government has   placed infrastructural development as one of its top priorities.

This is not just to improve safety but is meant to boost the economy. More industrial parks are built around the country, better freight trains – such as the SGR – and roads are being constructed to improve transport.

Better infrastructure makes it easier for the farmer or manufacturer on the shores of Lake Victoria to ship his goods to Mombasa and to the rest of the world. It also brings down the cost of goods11.

And this improved access to the rest of the world enables leads to stable employment and works towards making Kenyan a middle income country.

All of these development goals are intertwined   and while they have temporarily been put on hold, they are not permanently stopped.

As we sit at home during this period of hardship, we have a moment to reflect on current events and the state of affairs.

As a nation, we should take this opportunity to reflect upon all of the positive changes that Kenya has been enjoying. The situation cannot get worse than it already is. The hardship will not last forever.