National unity needed to fight corona

It is a difficult time to be a Kenyan right now. Indeed, it is a difficult time to be a human being, to inhabit this planet we call earth. With the Covid-19 pandemic now in Kenya, it is difficult to predict what will happen to our country, who will be affected, and to what extent.

The uncertainty is both startling and chilling. While everyone takes measures to create more social distance and spend time at home, our most vulnerable communities will likely be the worst affected.

Those working in the informal sector began to feel the pinch as soon as corona reached our shores, if not before, and it will become more and more difficult before it gets easier. This is a major setback that no amount of economic planning could have foreseen.

Uhuru’s administration is doing everything that it can to battle this killer virus. In fact, much more than many European nations. But if we are to overcome this as quickly as possible, this is a battle we must fight together.

It is Kenyans against coronavirus, and now is not the time for disunity. Now is not the time for tribalism or any form of ethnic vitriol. This is an international tragedy, but we must remain optimistic. And several studies throughout the nation’s history have indeed indicated that Kenyans are the most optimistic nation on earth.

Kenyans see ourselves as resilient. We have been through a lot, but here we are, still enjoying life. And while this pandemic spreads, many Kenyans are going to be suffering - wondering how they can feed their families, uncertain about the stability of their jobs.

And we need to pull together as a community. We need to learn from this experience how important it is as Kenyans to show our humanity, to trust that God will take care of us if we take care of each other.

We have to put our weight behind every government initiative that the president issues in the coming weeks as part of the effort to fight the pandemic. We need to follow the same plan in order to maximise its effectiveness, to respect and honour all regulations that have been carefully considered to minimise the impact of Covid-19.

When Uhuru worked on establishing unity and cohesion within Kenyan society by shaking hands with Raila Odinga and through this addressing the scourge of ethnic-based violence that had become familiar at election time, he was prescient about how much that could help us in our ability to overcome crisis together in the future.

In times like these, a nation can go in two directions. It can unify and address the challenge as one. It can work together and hold hands - figuratively, of course. Or it can veer in the other direction - the course that makes it worse. It can turn blame inwards, and begin fighting useless arguments that turn to violence, pain and more suffering.

Amidst all of this social isolation, it is more important than ever to be understanding, to offer compassion from afar and pull together as a community to help anybody who is particularly vulnerable.
Uhuru is the best role model we have for this kind of behaviour. As more people become infected, it is going to be easy to point blame in every direction. But that is not productive. It is not only a waste of time, but it sets us backwards.

At times like these, we must be forward thinking. You might be stuck at home, but there are still things you can do.

Have you called loved ones or elderly people that you know to check in on them. Are you doing all that you can to avoid coming into contact with others, thereby slowing or stopping the spread of the virus? Are you remaining calm and hopeful, guided by the knowledge that God will help us overcome even this?

It is going to be a difficult year. But this is a major global pandemic, and Kenya unfortunately could not be immune. However, how we respond as it gets tough will make all the difference.

But we must face it as a unified front. There is no other way. Let's follow the example of our two highest leaders and fight this together. It is Kenya against the virus!