In an interview on Citizen TV on Monday, April 26, Kagwe stated that they were analysing the Covid-19 positivity rate and the trajectory of daily recorded cases. The Health Ministry is also tracking the double mutant variant in India.
The CS added that they would make an informed decision on whether to reopen schools or not after they are assured of the safety of parents and students. Kagwe acknowledged that some students also reside in the diseased zone.
The counties, Nakuru, Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado are under an inter-county lockdown and cessation of movement imposed by President Uhuru Kenyatta. The measures set to curb the spread of Covid-19 are expected to expire on May 29, 19 days after schools reopen.
“If the positivity rate rises and parents and students are put at risk, then we will be forced to postpone (reopening). There is no way we are going to risk the lives of our children at one time.
“Reopening of schools is particularly of concern and we are going to keep an eye on developments. In the meeting we had, we were briefed well by CS Magoha. We are confident that they (Ministry of Education) are taking sufficient steps at the moment and facing the pandemic in a better manner,” Kagwe lauded Magoha.
Kagwe went on to assure parents that they were fighting the crisis in schools and that the vaccination of teachers would prevent the spread of the virus in the institutions.
“The main threat when it comes to schools is not the students. The challenge is the school workers and teachers. We have carried out vaccination on teachers and we are confident that we can still man the pandemic.
“It is a fluid situation and decisions will be made as we watch them and evolve them,” Kagwe stated.
Education CS George Magoha had asked all students and parents to prepare for the school reopening but was cagey on the reporting date. Magoha stated that students would most likely be required to return to school on Monday, May 10.
“The timetable remains as we had decided earlier in the year and by the grace of God, children will come to school at the time we said they should come to school,” stated Magoha.
Kenya recorded a 10.9 percent positivity rate on Monday, April 26, after reporting 194 new COVID-19 cases from a sample size of 1,779 tested in the last 24 hours. 21 patients died and 248 recoveries were recorded on the same day.
Kagwe ascertained that the positivity rate was dropping owing to the cessation of movement and lockdown enforced in the disease zone. On March 29, the country had recorded a 26.6 percent positivity rate.
Kenya needs to report a positivity rate of 5 percent or lower lasting two weeks before lowering measures and announcing the end of the second wave.
