US-based Kenyan recounts her experience traveling to motherland after airspace was opened

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More often than not, Kenyans in the diaspora express their displeasure over how things are done back home.

You will come across negative comments on social media about how awful Kenya is compared to other countries.

President Kenyatta’s administration has come under heavy criticism from Kenyans who accuse it of mishandling the Covid-19 pandemic.

But it appears Kenya is doing as well far as stemming the Covid-19 disease is concerned if the account of a Kenyan diaspora is anything to go by.

The woman says she traveled from Baltimore, Maryland to Kenya last week and was impressed by the Covid-19 containment protocols Kenya put in place as international flights resumed on Saturday.

She says what she saw made her proud to be a Kenyan. Below is her full story.

Today I want to commend Kenya for making me so proud to be Kenyan
We get a lot wrong as a nation but we also get a lot right and from firsthand experience of our handling of post covid arrival of international air passengers … Im proud to be Kenyan
On Friday 31st July I arrived at BWI airport in Baltimore, Maryland a place I had been calling home for a wee bit, to start my long awaited and anticipated return home as the Kenyan government was finally opening its international airspace on 1st August and I planned to be home on the inaugural flights.
So the 39hour trip home began … truly a journey of love in a covid world!
At BWI my first moment of being proudly Kenyan happened mixed with a tad of anxiety when the Delta checkin crew told me Kenya had suspended flights into its airspace so told them yes but by the time I arrived in Kenya 39 hours later it would be 1st August and our airspace would be open. At this juncture I was ready to start walking and swimming home
The Delta supervisor affirms my stance then asks for my COVID test and entry authorization forms etc as Kenya is very strict … moment of pride No. 1 when the US is concerned at adhering with the strict entry requirements of Kenya
Delta handled our boarding and on flight social distancing exceptionally well and kudos to them.
But both BWI and ATL airports were ghost towns with 90% of the duty free shops closed. This thrilled the Mrs. Monk in me as meant less exposure
Nearly a day later I land in Amsterdam and find Schipol which, in my opinion is the world’s worst airport in terms of harassing passengers especially those from Africa, has set up a special screening area specifically for flights to Kenya to adhere to Kenya’s strict entry requirements. Who would have thunk Schipol well known for best screening et al would need to enhance their measures to be able to enter Kenyan airspace. Moment of pride No.2
At the screening station they check your covid test certificate, take your temperature and fill and stamp a form. Was bemused at passengers around me complaining at the strictness to enter Kenya ie how they had to cancel flights as didnt have covid tests etc. Was proud to say we don’t need you all to bring the virus home as we need to protect our own @Moment of pride No.3
Before boarding at Schipol they once again reconfirm covid tests etc as remember Kenya is strict @ Moment of pride No.4 @@ However, Schipol needs to learn a lesson on social distancing while boarding as the normal status quo was maintained in practice. But at this juncture I have been “exposed” for over 31 hours so Im ready to start the final leg home
Landing in Kenya is emotional and overwhelming and makes the long journey back home sooooo worth it …. while I was away y’all paved the pothole on the runway
As we taxi in the French gentleman seated next to me is awe of how JKIA is spraying planes to disinfect them @Moment of pride No.5
I say but of course we need to secure our peoples while inwards I’m in shock and pleasantly surprised that we have gotten our act together … at this juncture this proud daughter of Kenya is in full bragging mode about her beloved . Tomorrow I can go back to calling her out for all her crap but for now savoring the pride of all she is doing right
From there on things just got better as our team at JKIA have set up effective and efficient screening and counter checking all covid certificates et al. And are strict on social distancing measures too
Even customs and baggage control handled professionally … all cargo hold baggage screened before baggage carasouel so customs no longer physically check it only mechanically screen your carry-on luggage as you take the final steps and take your first breath of the crisp midnight air in Nairobi
Well done to MOH and Kenya Airports Authority for doing your best on this stance to secure Kenya and Kenyans in the covid world
#ProudlyKenyan

The post US-based Kenyan recounts her experience traveling to motherland after airspace was opened appeared first on Kenya Satellite News Network.

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